April 21, 2025
The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) joins with Catholics and men and women of all faiths, or no faith at all, to mourn the passing of Pope Francis. He was one of the few leaders of our time with a deep compassion for the poor and marginalized, a courageous love of the Earth that God has given us, and a fresh voice in matters of conscience. He had an amazing gift for marrying traditional values with new realities and sensibilities while remaining true to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
For twelve years, we benefited from his wisdom and pastoral care, inspired and shaped by the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus. He saw possibilities, not problems. He showed us how to forgive and reconcile, not divide and conquer. For the Church, he was a courageous reformer and always humble enough to admit mistakes. We have lost an inspiring and tireless advocate for transparency and shared responsibility. He will be sorely missed in the days and years ahead.
– Rev. Michael J. Garanzini, S.J., President, AJCU