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Dear Friends of our friars and ministries,

Greetings from the Conventual Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation!

This special edition of the St. Anthony’s Newsletter reflects on Pope Francis’s pastoral legacy as a Shepherd of Christ for God’s Children of Mother Earth. As a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit), with the heart of St. Francis, Pope Francis lived and proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus with joy.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, following a stroke and subsequent cardiac arrest at his residence in Domus Sanctae Marthae, Vatican City. His death marked the end of a 12-year papacy characterized by humility, mercy, inclusivity, and a profound commitment to social justice.

True to his Jesuit roots and personal ethos, Pope Francis eschewed grandiosity, opting for simplicity in life and death. He chose to be buried in a modest wooden coffin, foregoing traditional papal burial customs. His final resting place is the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, making him the first pope since 1669 to be interred there.

His legacy is one of bridge-building and compassion. He often emphasized the unity of humanity, famously advocating for “todos, todos, todos” (“everyone, everyone, everyone”). His approachable demeanor and countless embraces earned him the affectionate title of the “People’s Pope.”

Now, with the election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the Church enters a new chapter. Born in Chicago and formed in the Augustinian tradition, Pope Leo XIV brings a deep pastoral heart and missionary spirit rooted in his years of service in Peru. We pray that his leadership will carry forward the Gospel values of humility, justice, and mercy—hallmarks of Pope Francis’s pontificate.

My dear friends, there is much to remember and to learn from Pope Francis’s life and teachings. Let us continue to pray for the repose of his soul, and now also for Pope Leo XIV, that he may be guided by the Holy Spirit in his new ministry to the People of God.

“[May] the Lord bless you and keep you. May He show His face to you and have mercy. May He turn His countenance to you and give you peace. The Lord bless you!” (Blessing of St. Francis to Brother Leo)

Sincerely in Christ and St. Francis,

Fr. John Elmer OFM Conv.
Spiritual Director

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