Message of Condolences on the Passing of His Holiness Pope Francis

Message of Condolences on the Passing of His Holiness Pope Francis

The International Federation of Catholic Universities expresses its profound sorrow at the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a shepherd of immense compassion, vision, and wisdom. His pontificate has been a beacon for humanity, particularly for the academic world, which he consistently called to a higher sense of responsibility, solidarity, and service.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis emphasized the vital role of Catholic universities in shaping a more just, humane, and sustainable world. He saw in our institutions not only centers of learning, but communities of discernment and hope—spaces where faith and reason meet, and where new generations are formed to be builders of peace and dialogue.

IFCU was honored to meet with the Holy Father on several occasions. In these encounters, he challenged us to go beyond intellectual excellence and to embrace what he called the “culture of encounter.” He reminded us that education is never neutral: it either contributes to building a culture of life and inclusion, or it risks reinforcing indifference and exclusion. In his words and actions, Pope Francis entrusted Catholic universities with a mission—to be laboratories of fraternity, homes of ecological conversion, and instruments of integral human development.

His address to the academic community at the Catholic University of Portugal during the World Youth Day in Lisbon in 2023 remains a landmark. In it, he invited students and educators alike to be “poets of social change.” His appeal to link academic inquiry with ethical and ecological responsibility echoed the heart of his encyclicals Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti, which continue to inspire our work.

As a Federation that unites Catholic higher education institutions across the globe, we pledge to carry forward the vision Pope Francis so compellingly articulated. His legacy calls us to form consciences, foster dialogue, promote peace, and accompany the marginalized—especially the young, the poor, and the planet itself.

We offer our prayers for the eternal rest of His Holiness and extend our condolences to the global Catholic community. May his life and teachings continue to guide Catholic universities in their mission to transform the world through truth, compassion, and faith.

Isabel Capeloa Gil

IFCU President