In Memoriam: Pope Francis (1936–2025)
“Servus fidelis et prudens.” — A faithful and wise servant.
Halo & Light Studios
4/21/20251 min read
Today, the Church bids farewell to our Holy Father, Pope Francis—a man of mercy.
He was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first to take the name Francis—after the beloved saint of Assisi. When he was elected in 2013, our third child was born. We named him Francis—in honor of St. Francis of Assisi and to commemorate the first pope who chose that name.
One of my favorite things he ever said was:
“The Church is not a fortress for the perfect, but a field hospital for the wounded.”
There have been times when I’ve felt fiercely protective of the Church—its beauty, its tradition, its truth. And rightly so. But Pope Francis gently reminded us again and again: before we guard the walls, we must run to the wounded. Before we correct, we must love. Before we defend, we must heal.
That was his way—mercy in motion. Love without conditions. Truth made approachable through tenderness.
Now we entrust him to the very Mercy he so beautifully lived and preached:
May we carry forward his mission—not in fear, but in love.
🙏 Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei.
🙏 Oremus pro anima Papae Francisci.
🕊️ May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Let us honor his memory by continuing the mission he so often reminded us of: “Go forth. Proclaim the Gospel. Live it with joy.”