Le Moyne College Mourns the Passing of Pope Francis

With the death of Pope Francis earlier today, please join me and the Le Moyne College community in mourning his passing. His loss is being remembered around the globe as world and religious leaders pay tribute to the pontiff’s deep and lasting legacy built over the past 12 years.

Yesterday, at the Easter Sunday celebration, the Pope proclaimed “On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas! For all of us are children of God!” This message from Superior General Arturo Sosa, S.J. has a compelling overview of his work and impact.

Many of those commenting on the death of Pope Francis note that he was the first Jesuit to be elected pope and therefore wondered if his training as a Jesuit made a difference to his leadership and style of governance. As president of Le Moyne, an academic community rooted and grounded in the intellectual and spiritual traditions of the Society of Jesus, I can strongly affirm that Francis’ ministry as pope was a clear manifestation of the rich Jesuit formation he received in his youth and throughout his life. We see in Francis a profound commitment to the Jesuit desire to “find God in all things.”

Finding God in all things suggests a deep faith in the fundamental and essential goodness of creation. This faith suggests that we need not be afraid of creation but we must engage the world fearlessly and with respect. This openness to the graciousness of all reality grounds the early Jesuits’ understanding of the need for a rigorous intellectual preparation for ministry. From the earlier days Jesuits were to be understood as “men astutely trained.” The Jesuits, then, were to be open to intellectual, cultural and scientific challenges of their day. It is a belief that yields an openness to the experience of others that informs the apostolic commitments of Francis’ tenure.

At Le Moyne, we seek to educate talented women and men in this time-tested tradition. We are proud to share in this legacy of Saint Ignatius Loyola and His Holiness, Pope Francis.

Events at Le Moyne to commemorate and mark his passing are being worked on and we will communicate details later this week. For now, join me in offering prayers and reflection as we remember Pope Francis and his service to the church.

Sincerely,

Linda M. LeMura, Ph.D.
President