Pope Francis

“He always exuded joy and a sense of humor. Every time we were together, he would put us at ease and welcome us with jokes and a smile. His pastoral emphasis on God the Father’s mercy and compassion helped shape my approach to ministry.”

“In the moment we touched his hand and looked him in the eyes, the pope exuded the warm and welcoming love of Christ. We hold his (newlywed) blessing close to our hearts as a grace-filled start to our marriage.”

“I had the opportunity to talk to him about eight times, and every encounter was special. With those conversations and his books, homilies, speeches and actions, I saw him like a distant grandfather. A few times, (he) gave me advice on prayer, others on general-knowledge topics. He always found a way to crack a joke in between the conversation.”

“He stood as a servant of the Church who led with great humility. He asked us to listen and dialogue with each other to act for the common good. As our Church continues to journey home, we remember the groundwork that Pope Francis has laid before us.”

“I would say Pope Francis should be known as the pope of the migrants and refugees who are called to build bridges and not walls.”

“Without Pope Francis, I would certainly not be who I am today. It is the greatest honor of my life to do this work, to find my small niche in contributing toward the fulfillment of God’s plan for us.”

“Our diocese is steeped in synodality thanks to Pope Francis and Cardinal McElroy. Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, ‘The Joy of Love’ (‘Amoris Laetitia’), is essentially our office’s guiding document on how to offer pastoral care to all families.”

“Pope Francis will forever be remembered for his humility and for his deep compassion, especially for our most vulnerable neighbors across the world. Let us all live by his example, in serving our neighbors without judgment and always with the deepest love.”

“Pope Francis inspired me with his humility and material poverty. He taught me and challenged me to live the radical love of Jesus, who never rejected or judged anyone, but loved everyone without condition. He taught us not to be a Church in self-preservation, but a Church ‘en salida,’ ‘that goes out,’ with doors open for everyone.”

“Pope Francis inspired me to be a better follower of Christ. He reminded me that God is ever merciful, and that we could always run back to the Father, as he never tires of forgiving us.”

“With his humility, Pope Francis taught me to be humble and, at the same time, to be brave as I work together with brothers and sisters in Christ to make changes so that everyone’s dignity is respected, and everyone feels a sense of belonging.”

“Pope Francis was our father, who cared and loved all of God’s people and creation. He left us a blueprint (on synodality) so that we can continue his vision of listening and caring for all people, especially the marginalized, the poor, the hurt and unloved.”

“I think many people — of all religious expressions, and even non-religious — found in Pope Francis a credible example of humble, loving service; that he, as Vicar of Christ, was a person who himself lived like Christ. That was refreshing and compelling in an era when many leaders seem to be driven by ego or self-interest.”

“Pope Francis had a love for the youth, not only through words, but he journeyed with all of us. Through the synodality, he taught us how to listen with our hearts. For the first time ever, I felt that my voice was truly heard at the Universal Church, and it brought peace to my heart.”

“I wanted to be a Christian like him – humble, joyful, strong, patient, kind; the way that I had come to learn that Jesus was.”

“Pope Francis was a true pastor — a man who deeply loved God and His Church. His pastoral approach to ministry personally inspired me. He was a shepherd who listened, journeyed with others, and challenged bishops, priests, the Catholic community, and the entire world with the words of the Gospel.”

“From the very first moments of his service to the Universal Church, Pope Francis enshrined the mercy of God at the heart of his proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In doing so, he illuminated with new depth the pastoral dimension of the Church’s mission, which is rooted first in embracing love rather than in judgment.”