Jorge Mario Bergoglio
1936–2025
Remembering Pope Francis
Jorge Mario Bergoglio
1936–2025
Book of Condolence and Memorial Masses
Book of Condolence
The University of St. Michael’s College will have a condolence book in memory of Pope Francis for the community to sign this week. It will be available in the John M. Kelly Library lobby from 9:30 am on Wednesday to 5:00 pm on Friday.
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Please note that from 3:00-5:00 pm on Thursday, the book will be placed at Regis College, 100 Wellesley St. W, so that those attending the 3:30 pm memorial Mass can sign it.
Memorial Mass
Regis St. Michael’s
St. Joseph Chapel at Regis College
Thursday, April 24 at 3:30 pm
100 Wellesley St. West
The Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology will hold a memorial Mass for Pope Francis. All are welcome.
Vespers and Mass
St. Basil’s Church
Wednesday, April 23 at 5:10 pm
Join St. Basil’s Church to pray in memory of Pope Francis this week at Vespers and Mass on Wednesday, April 23 at 5:10 pm.
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Rosary on Friday, April 25 immediately following the 12:10 pm Mass.
In the Media
In the wake of the death of Pope Francis, Canadian news outlets have called upon the expertise of St. Michael’s faculty to understand this moment in Church history. Over the past days, our professors have shared their personal encounters with the late pope and added their voices to the discourse on the legacy he leaves behind. Below is a sampling of the many media appearances.
St. Michael’s Basilian Distinguished Fellow of Contemporary Catholic Thought and Pope Francis biographer, Professor Michael Higgins reflected on the legacy of Pope Francis in an opinion piece for the Globe and Mail, titled ‘The legacy of Pope Francis: Choosing faith over fear’.
The Globe and Mail also published an excerpt from Higgins’ book, The Jesuit Disruptor, available to Globe and Mail subscribers. (‘What’s in a name? Everything.’)
Theology Professor and Executive Director of Toronto School of Theology, Rev. Dr. Darren Dias, O.P., described the late Pope as, “a great voice in the geopolitical world that we live in” in this article for CBC online and was also interviewed for CBC radio. Prof. Dias will be headed to Rome to cover the funeral with the CBC.
History Professor Mark McGowan reflects on the significance of some of Pope Francis’ final moments in interviews for CBC Radio. He was quoted in an article for the Canadian Press, ‘None of Canada’s five cardinals likely to be next pope, Vatican experts say’ and spoke with Jas Johal on CKNW Vancouver. He was on Halifax’s The Todd Veinotte Show, on April 22. His interview starts at the 45 min mark.
Moira McQueen, an ethicist who taught at St. Michael’s and is the executive director of The Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute, said Pope Francis acted “as a bridge in society” in this interview for CTV.
Professor Reid Locklin, professor of Christianity and culture, explains how Pope Francis’s successor will be chosen on the following news outlets: Global online, CHCH TV, and CityNews radio.
Tributes
The University of St. Michael’s College mourns the death of Pope Francis, a visionary leader who inspired the work of the university, whether through encyclicals such as Fratelli tutti and Laudato si’ or by his extemporaneous comments on our need to care for each other, with special concern for the vulnerable and the marginalized. He will be remembered for his concern for human relations, his care for the environment, and for his desire to bring the Church together in conversation.
Tributes from the St. Michael’s Community for the Servant Leadership of Pope Francis
Statement from
Frank Cardinal Leo
Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto
and Chancellor of the University of St. Michael’s College
Following the death of Pope Francis
April 21, 2025
Our Catholic family worldwide is in mourning following the death of our spiritual father, Pope Francis. Since 2013, our shepherd has guided the flock lovingly and served as a global ambassador of peace, hope and love. The Holy Father’s humility, compassion and care for others, most especially the poor and marginalized, has served as a powerful witness and a reminder of our daily call to reflect the face of Jesus to all those whom we encounter.
I invite the faithful throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto and all those who mourn his loss, to pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. May we honour his legacy and lovingly embrace his invitation to be missionaries of mercy, sharing the light of Christ in abundance as we affirm the dignity of every human life and foster a culture of care and love.
Our good and faithful servant has been called home to the Lord. May he rest in peace.
Statement from
David G. Sylvester, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor
University of St. Michael’s College
On behalf of the University of St. Michael’s College I wish to express my sorrow on the death of Pope Francis, a visionary leader who inspired the work of the university, whether through encyclicals such as Fratelli tutti and Laudato si’ or by his extemporaneous comments on our need to care for each other, with special concern for the vulnerable and the marginalized. He will be remembered for his concern for human relations, his care for the environment, and for his desire to bring the Church together in conversation.
“Pope Francis – I remember. Pope Francis – I am grateful.”
Sonal Castelino, Director of Mission and Ministry at the University of St. Michael’s College and a candidate with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto.
“Pope Francis and his Journey to Take the Church to the Peripheries“
Susan K. Wood, SCL, Professor of Systematic Theology
Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology
“Our community deeply mourns the passing of Pope Francis. His witness and faith in the risen Christ have inspired so much of what Regis St. Michael’s is about – care for the integral development of each human person, respect for creation, and valuing movements of reconciliation, peace, and hospitality. May he rest in the communion of the merciful and loving Triune God.”
Prof. Jaroslav Skira, Fr. Terrance Forestell, CSB, of the Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology (RSM).
“I will always be personally grateful for Pope Francis’s courageous leadership on climate change, eco-justice, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples — a legacy that has deeply shaped both my faith and my scholarship.”
Prof. Hilda Koster, Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto Associate Professor Ecological Theology and the Director of the Elliott Allen Institute for Theology and Ecology, RSM
“He poured out his life in service to God and the Church and witnessed to the merciful love of God that was the defining dynamic of his papacy.”
Prof. Gill Goulding, CJ, appointed to the theological commission of the synod in 2021 and involved in the writing of the early documents.
“While there is a mixture of emotions, one remains – that of gratitude. You showed us in work and action that our God is a God of mercy. Rest well, dear Pope Francis in the eternal embrace of God’s merciful love. Do not forget to pray for us!”
Sonal Castelino, St. Michael’s Director of Mission and Ministry and a candidate with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto.
“Before Christmas of last year, I attended a conference in Rome exploring the future of theology. The highlight was an audience with Pope Francis. In his talk he shared his earnest desire: ‘I would like now to leave you with an invitation, namely, that theology be accessible to all.’ His finals words to us shape who I am as a Jesuit, religious, and theologian at Regis St. Michaels: ‘Theology can be that guide on the journey! Please, if any of these people knock on the door of theology, of the schools of theology, may they find it open. Make sure that these women and men find in theology an open house, a place where they can resume their journey, a place where they can seek, find and seek again.’”
Prof. Gerard Ryan, SJ, Scarboro Missions Chair in Interreligious Dialogue, RSM
Tributes from Our Students
“Pope Francis emulated Jesus in such a beautiful and profound way in his words and actions. His example of striving to truly live the title The Vicar of Christ on earth will hopefully inspire future popes for generations to come.”
John Fraresso, Doctor of Ministry student, RSM
Pope Francis was a beacon of hope in today’s ever-changing world. He showed a profound care for the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable members of society. His love for God’s people was beautifully evident in his everyday encounters, meeting others with contagious joy, compassion, and selfless humility. Calling the church a “field hospital,” he recognized the need for healing among members of the body of Christ. Pope Francis boldly lived out Jesus’ example of servanthood during his 12-year papacy. May he rest in eternal peace with God.
Sarah Gangl, Faculty of Music student enrolled in St. Michael’s Gilson Seminar
“I wept at the news of his death. He brought such joy, compassion and wisdom to the world.”
Author and lay minister Christine Way Skinner, Doctoral student at RSM.
Tributes from Our Alumni
When Francis appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after his election to the papacy in 2013 and asked those gathered to bless him and pray for him, I felt that the world was about to meet a pope of the people, for the people. His humility and humanity shone for the next 12 years as he constantly surprised and inspired the world. I was so moved to see him make his penitential pilgrimage to Canada in 2022 to apologize to Indigenous people for the Church’s role in residential schools. May his work in advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, caring for our common home, listening in a synodal way, and welcoming “todos, todos, todos!” live on. Dear Pope Francis, we bless you. We pray for you.
Anne Louise Mahoney, SMC 8T4
With specific regard to LGBTQ+ issues, Pope Francis’s legacy is to a large extent positive. His influence will live on in his call to encounter, and his callout of the dangers of indifference. Pope Francis called us to encounter with Jesus Christ, and with one another. Francis’s Synod on Synodality called us to dialogue—in particular, for LGBTQ+ folk— through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development: Doing Theology from the Existential Peripheries. We LGBTQ+ spoke. Queer voices from all around the world. No longer silent.
Pope Francis often emphasized the concrete, the real, whether “the smell of the sheep” modifying his imagery to a current, urban setting— or the crowds at Costco, over abstract concepts, or ethereal teachings. Pope Francis was well aware of the consequences of being indifferent to the suffering, hatred, and disregard for the dignity of all human beings. Yet, notwithstanding Declaration “Dignitas Infinita” on Human Dignity, and all the other Declarations, and words, and more words—one thing, still, we can never do—is look to the church for our dignity. LGBTQ+ folk will continue to speak out against these injustices, to seek dialogue at the local level, and beyond. With gratitude to Pope Francis. And with justified pride.
Carl O’Byrne, SMC 7T4. Participant in the 2023 panel discussion at St. Mike’s on the international theological research project, Doing Theology From the Existential Peripheries, a project created and overseen by the Dicastery on Promoting Integral Human Development.