Honouring the Life and Legacy of Pope Francis

A Shepherd of Our Time: A Reflection on Faith, Service, and the Legacy of Pope Francis

As a Catholic Trust community, we mark with deep sorrow and reverence the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis, who died on 21st April 2025 at the age of 88.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, was elected as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013. The first Jesuit and the first Latin American pope, his papacy was characterised by humility, simplicity, and a profound commitment to peace, social justice, and mercy.

“Too often we participate in the globalization of indifference. May we strive instead to live global solidarity.” Pope Francis

Please find letters from the Trust to staff and parents below:

Letter to Staff – In Remembrance of Pope Francis 22.04.25

Letter to Parents – In Remembrance of Pope Francis 22.04.25

A Global Voice for Catholic Education

Throughout his time as pope, Francis placed a strong emphasis on the transformative power of education. He consistently reminded the Church that Catholic schools must not only teach, but form hearts and minds rooted in Gospel values.

In 2019, he launched the Global Compact on Education — a worldwide initiative calling for renewed commitment to education as a means of promoting peace, care for creation, and solidarity among peoples. He urged educators, leaders, and families to work together to “educate hearts and minds for the common good.” Pope Francis taught that Catholic education should reach the margins, serve the vulnerable, and develop the whole person — intellectually, spiritually, and morally.

He believed education is “an act of love, a means of giving life and hope,” and called educators to be not only instructors, but living witnesses of faith, compassion, and joy. His vision continues to inspire Catholic schools across the world, including those in our Trust, as we nurture pupils in faith, character, and academic excellence.

A Lasting Legacy

Pope Francis’s papacy saw bold efforts to reform Church governance, advance interfaith dialogue, and prioritise the needs of the poor and the planet. His landmark encyclical Laudato Si’ called all people to be stewards of creation, while his pastoral outreach reminded us of the power of mercy and inclusion.

Though he did not visit our local area during his papacy, his words and witness have profoundly shaped our communities.

His call to protect “our common home” has sparked a renewed sense of responsibility and action among young people in our Trust, rooted in faith and stewardship. With caring for God’s creation at the heart of his ministry, Pope Francis has left a profound and lasting impact on our school communities, encouraging a culture of environmental awareness, compassion, and collective responsibility that we pray will continue to grow stronger each day.

We honour his life, give thanks for his leadership, and join the global Catholic community in prayer:

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.