With deep sorrow, we join the global Church in mourning the loss of Pope Francis, a shepherd whose life and ministry touched millions across the world with humility, courage, and mercy.
Pope Francis reminded us—through word and witness—that faith is not abstract, but incarnational. It is found in the margins, in the call to justice, in the cry of the poor and the earth, and in the quiet dignity of each human soul. He asked us to be a field hospital for the wounded, to embrace dialogue over division, and to encounter one another with tenderness and truth.
Though we grieve, we also hold firmly to the vision he championed: a Church and world marked by integral human development, care for creation, inclusion, mercy, and hope. These are not simply Catholic ideals; they are the very heart of our mission at St. Ambrose University. In our classrooms, our service, and our community life, we will continue to reflect his example and carry forward the light of his leadership.
As we pray for the eternal rest of Pope Francis, we also pray for renewed courage to live out his call—to be people of encounter, agents of peace, and educators who see Christ in every person.
May his memory be a blessing, and may we honor it by embodying the Gospel he so deeply lived.
