The Paulist Fathers remember Pope Francis
Our president, Paulist Fr. René Constanza, C.S.P., remembers Pope Francis in brief remarks at the conclusion of a special Mass on April 23, 2025, at our mother church, the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City.
Monday in the Octave of Easter
April 21, 2025
The Paulist Fathers join all those around the world who are praying now in thanksgiving to God for the blessed life and ministry of His Holiness, Pope Francis.
Pope Francis was a tangible sign of God’s love for the world and evidence of the enduring presence of the Holy Spirit.
Pope Francis challenged the Church and all people to go beyond the expected and the comfortable to be truly present to, and in his words to “accompany,” those whom the world often forgets.
The poor, the imprisoned, migrants, refugees, and those who feel unwelcome or unloved in any way all had a special place in the heart of Pope Francis. And he wanted them to be in our hearts, too. In fact, he made a clarion call for all of humanity to think and act as if we are indeed all brothers and sisters.
“Todos! Todos! Todos!” he cried. God’s love is for everyone, the late pope reminded us.
For Pope Francis, the Church is a field hospital. He wanted a Church that is dirty and bruised because it takes risks to heal the wounds of souls – and to share the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Pope Francis invited us to really listen to one another, especially to those with whom we disagree. He modeled a new way of walking together on the journey as one, essentially offering a new vision of what it means to be church, the Body of Christ.
How blessed we have been to live in the age of Pope Francis! May God’s Holy Spirit fill us with the inspiration, creativity, and courage to continue his mission!
As we say farewell toPope Francis, Paulist Fr. Mark-David Janus, C.S.P., reminds us of our task ahead to continue the Holy Father's welcoming, embracing, and synodal legacy.
Paulist Fr. Dave Dwyer, C.S.P., spoke about the life and ministry of Pope Francis during an interview on MSNBC on April 22, 2025. Fr. Dave is our First Consultor and Executive Director of our Busted Halo media ministry.
Paulist Fr. Matt Berrios, C.S.P., was interviewed by John Dickerson about the legacy of Pope Francis on the April 24, 2025, broadcast of the CBS Evening News.
