I am convinced that synodality is Pope Francis’s abiding gift to the church. His energetic mission to school the church in the art and practice of synodality in the final few years of his life fittingly defines his pontificate, even though the ensuing synodal process did not receive universal approval.
Synodality presents opportunities for the renewal and reform of the church, beginning with creating a shared space for listening, dialogue, and discernment. This synodal process is considered threatening by some critics and doubters, in part because of a fear of loss of authority by some priests and bishops. Synodality calls us to convert and reform a clericalist obsession with and exercise of power and authority in the church. The effort to heal this distorted form of authority in the church stands as a bold and enduring manifestation of Pope Francis’s synodal vision.
Synodality is Francis’s way to foster participation in mission by welcoming the gifts, talents, and wisdom that the Spirit generously bestows on the entire community, through the grace of baptism. In the synodal vision of Pope Francis, participation in mission is an expression of our faith in God.
Francis demonstrated by his words, deeds, and gestures that in a synodal church, people who disagree do not have to become enemies, because it isn’t a zero-sum game of winners and losers. Differences, disagreements, and competing visions of synodality exist and are part of the synodal tradition. As such, synodality isn’t easy. We make the way by walking in a transparent, inclusive, and sustained process of discernment in common. We do not determine the answers ahead of the process, nor exclude anyone from the ‘way’.
Discernment is a mark of the church that Pope Francis encouraged us to co-create, so that, as a church, we can build our capacity to listen with openness and honesty and to speak with courage and charity. This process calls for co-responsibility in governance and the inclusion of lay people in consequential decisions. In a synodal church, lay women and lay men have a right to be listened to and that right is warranted by our shared baptismal grace as equal members of the body of Christ. (See Final Document, no. 60).
Synodality is not a task to be completed but a spirit to be incarnated and lived, a habitual way of life. The process is as important as its outcome. As such, it offers a chance for ecclesial renewal and conversion. Beyond the diatribes, controversies, and divisions, the fundamental question remains how to synod (verb); how do we walk well together as the People of God?
The gift of synodality to the church can be further thought of as a catalyst for renewal and reform of the church, first, because it reconfigures the mission-framework of the church, so that every baptized Christian carries the duty and responsibility of mission and, second, it helps the church become constitutively synodal, that is, a church which makes a preferential option to continuously engage in inclusive listening, dialogue, and discernment, as expressions of its ordinary ways of living, working, teaching, and ministering.
Finally, as envisaged by Pope Francis, synodality invites us to recognize the equal dignity of women members of the People of God, their indispensable role and ministry, and the necessity of a continued discernment of women’s diaconate. Listening to women’s voices, honoring their talents, celebrating their competence, and learning from them about being a synodal church in mission ultimately make us a better Church.
Pope Francis’s prophetic vision of a synodal church aimed to promote an understanding and practice characterized by inclusive decision-making, participatory discernment, and co-responsibility in ministry, as habitual ways of fulfilling its mission. Continuing this rich legacy is the task of the church for the rest of the Third Millennium.
— Fr. A. E. Orobator, S.J., Dean of the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in California
Lent 2026: Weekly Laudato Si’ Actions for LentLaudato Si’/Care of Creation Ministry invites all parishioners to be good stewards of God’s Creation. During the six weeks of Lent, let us be intentional together to care for Creation, God’s gift to us.
Weekly Laudato Si’ Actions for Lent
Week One
- Reduce Water Consumption while brushing teeth and washing dishes
- Meatless Monday
- Reduce electricity-turn off lights when not in a room
Week Two
- Make a random act of kindness to a neighbor you know and a neighbor in need
- Meatless Monday
- Support NGO’s that assist the vulnerable and the poor: Bread for the World, Jesuit Refugee Services, Catholic Charities-NYC, New York Common Pantry, City Relief
Week Three
- Buy local, fair trade and sustainably produced food
- Meatless Monday
- Patronize small, local businesses instead of ordering products online
Week Four
- Fast from single-use plastics such as water bottles and buying food in plastic containers
- Meatless Monday
- Drive Less, Walk more, use public transportation-less taxi
Week Five
- Visit a Botanical Garden
- Take a Walk in Central Park and take time to see the local trees, shrubs and flowers
- Visit a Zoo
Week Six
- Read Laudato Si’ concepts
- Pray with these two prayers:
A Prayer for the Earth by Pope Francis
All powerful God,
you are present in the universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with your peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned
and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty,
not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle,
for justice, love and peace.
Canticle of the Sun by St. Francis
Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor, and all blessings.
To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no man is worthy to mention Your name.
Praised be You, my Lord, with all your creatures;
especially Brother Sun, who is the day, and through whom You give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,
and bears a likeness to You, Most High One.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;
in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene,
and every kind of weather through which You give sustenance to Your creatures.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night;
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains us and governs us and who produces
varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through those who give pardon for Your love,
and bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace
for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no living man can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will,
for the second death shall do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord,
and give Him thanks,
and serve Him with great humility.
Amen.
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“To Walk Together With Those In Need” is a pillar of the St Ignatius Loyola Parish Mission Statement. The Lenten Week of Service gives us a way to live out this mission and honor St. Ignatius’ belief that love is shown more in deeds than in words. We kicked off our first annual Lenten Week of Service last year and look forward to once again bringing the parish together to participate in many services that show the love that God has for us and for all our brothers and sisters. This year, the Lenten Week of Service begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18th, and ends on Sunday, March 1st.
Do you wonder how we chose activities for the Week of Service? We were inspired by The Judgement of Nations in Matthew 25 – we have self-contained activities that feed the hungry, shelter the unhoused, and welcome the stranger. We even have a way to care for the sick.
FEED THE HUNGRY
You could pack food at the New York Common Pantry or prepare boxes of fresh vegetables at the Grassroot Grocery’s “Pantry Party”, contribute to the SVdP Lenten food drive, prepare a meal with SAGE for LGBT elders, or prepare a meal with other parishioners at God’s Love We Deliver, which caters to people with life altering illnesses.
SHELTER THE UNHOUSED
You could join NYC’s beloved Don’t Walk By outreach. It has spots for 400 volunteers! Here you would have an opportunity to canvass the neighborhood, recruiting unhoused people to join others at the Salvation Army where they can get a meal and access to services. Or you could be an onsite volunteer for the meal and services. Don’t Walk By is a meaningful way for you to become aware of the needs of our city and to share God’s love with the most unseen New Yorkers.
Our Homelessness Awareness for Children event is for elementary school age children to learn about unhoused people, pack toiletries for them, and write them a short handwritten card. If you are unable to attend (or even if you can attend), you can donate toiletries for this event.
You could wear comfortable shoes to walk the Dorothy Day Pilgrimage. During the Depression, Dorothy Day co-founded the Catholic Worker Movement. It still offers direct aid to the poor, feeds the hungry, shelters the homeless, and advocates for peace and non-violence. The current issue of the newspaper has the full statement of the USCCB Special Message on Immigration.
CARE FOR THE SICK
You could donate blood during the SVdP Blood Drive and save a life or pray the rosary for our vulnerable neighbors or follow the Laudato Si’ Weekly Lenten Action Calendar.
WELCOME THE STRANGER
Pope Leo XIV urged Catholic to heed the call of the USCCB Special Statement on Immigration and oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people.
You could join a Jericho Walk around Immigration Court at 26 Federal Plaza. The Hebrew Bible recounts when the Jews surrounded the walls of Jericho, marched around it seven times and shouted until the walls came down. We want the walls of injustice and hatred to immigrants to collapse and be replaced with fair and humane immigration laws. Bring your rosary beads to help you pray while being a public witness of your faith.
You could become trained to accompany someone to immigration court and witness events in courtrooms, waiting rooms, and hallways. The training is required for people who want to go to court with New Sanctuary Coalition. It is also recommended for people who want to know what is really happening in immigration court in NYC.
LOGISTICS
Each activity has a leader who will accompany the group to the event. Last year, we learned that group activities were impactful because they allowed us to appreciate each other and the vulnerable, the hungry, the unhoused, those lacking clothes; and to ache for justice and mercy.
Click here to see the list of services with dates and times.
If you would like to volunteer or have a question about any of the following activities, please email [email protected].
— Laura de Boisblanc, Christine Kearney O’Connell, and Marguerite Lucarelli
Lenten Week of ServiceThe gift of your time is precious, and St. Ignatius parishioners have always answered the call. We encourage you to consider giving your time to one or more of the following activities and make a difference!
Start the week at the LENTEN CROSS (located in the Narthex). Affix a ribbon to the cross symbolizing your commitment to perform an act of service during Lent.
| Activity/Organization | Time | |||
| 18-Feb | Wed | Affix ribbons to cross in the Narthex | All day | |
| 19-Feb | Thurs | NSC Jericho Walk for just immigration laws. Bring rosary beads | 11 AM-12:15 PM | |
| 19-Feb | Thurs | Laudato Si Calendar of Weekly Actions for Lent, Kick Off | ||
| 20-Feb | Fri | SAGE Advocacy and Services for LGBT elders (meal service) | 4 PM-6 PM | |
| 20-Feb | Fri | Congregation Emanu-El sandwich prep for those in need | 4 PM-5:30PM | |
| 21-Feb | Sat | Grassroots Grocery | 9 AM-11 AM | |
| All ages pack/deliver groceries to organizations serving those in need. | ||||
| 22-Feb | Sun | Congregation Emanu-El sandwiches prep for those in need | 10 PM-12 PM | |
| 22-Feb | Sun | Dorothy Day Pilgrimage, walk in her footsteps | 2 PM-3:30 PM | |
| 23-Feb | Mon | NSC Court Accompaniment Training – Zoom | 7 PM-8:30 PM | |
| Learn how to accompany immigrants in court/witness their treatment. | ||||
| 23-Feb | Mon | God’s Love We Deliver | 4 PM-7 PM | |
| 24-Feb | Tues | Xavier Mission – Sort clothes | 4 PM-6 PM | |
| 24-Feb | Tues | Say the rosary for our vulnerable neighbors | All day | |
| 25-Feb | Wed | NY Common Pantry, 109th St | 9 AM-1 PM & 12 PM-4 PM shifts | |
| 26-Feb | Thurs | NSC Jericho Walk for just immigration laws. Bring rosary beads | 11 AM-12:15 PM | |
| 27-Feb | Fri | SVdP Lenten/Easter Food Drive Kick Off | ||
| Don’t Walk By – Salvation Army (400 volunteer spaces available) Signup link | ||||
| 27-Feb | Fri | Prepare for the walk; invite guests/pack backpacks. | Morning shifts | |
| 28-Feb | Sat | Walk an area to invite people to host site or | All day | |
| Be an onsite volunteer for meals and services. | 11:00 AM-7:00 PM | |||
| 1-Mar | Sun | Homelessness Awareness for Children | 12:00 PM-1:15 PM | |
| Children to pack toiletry kits for the unhoused.
[Link] to donate toiletries |
||||
| 1-Mar | Sun | Congregation Emanu-El sandwiches prep for those in need | 10-12 PM | |
| 1-Mar | Sun | SVdP Blood Drive. Save a life. Donate blood. Signup link | 9 AM-3 PM/ McKinnon Hall | |
February 1, 2026 Essay: Rejoice and Be Glad!
Happy February! For the shortest month of the year, there sure is a lot happening—just check out this bulletin! For example, in 17 days, on February 18th, we will begin again our solemn fast, the Lenten journey from ashes to glory. In 19 days, the greatest phrase in our country—“Play Ball!”—will be uttered as Spring Training begins and, at last, all is right in the world with Major League Baseball returning to action! (So, if you’re looking for me then, you now know where to find me…)
Back here in wintry New York, in just 5 days, on February 6th, the Most Reverend Ronald A. Hicks will be installed as the eleventh Archbishop of our Archdiocese. In these days leading up to the Mass of Installation, we pray in gratitude for the years of ministry and care from Cardinal Dolan. And we pray for Archbishop Hicks, that the Lord will give him the grace of the heart of a pastor, the very heart of the Good Shepherd.
Back to our February countdown: In just one day, tomorrow, Monday, February 2nd, the Church marks 40 days since the great feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ as we celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. In keeping with Jewish law, Mary and Joseph go to the Temple in Jerusalem to present their son to God in thanksgiving and joy. It is there that they encounter the prophets Simeon and Anna, who both had been eagerly awaiting the coming of the Messiah. The Lord Jesus is presented in the Temple as the light of the nations, and so we bless candles to remind ourselves that Jesus is the true light, and that we all are called to carry the light of Christ into the world.
For the last three decades the Church has also marked the 2nd of February as World Day for Consecrated Life, as we celebrate the light that comes from the vocations of women and men religious. Consecrated life is nothing new to our parish, as we Jesuits have been here since 1866! The parish school, too, was blessed to have the Sisters of Charity for a good number of years, and a Sister of Mercy for the last several years. In fact, last week we celebrated Catholic Schools Week, where we gave thanks for the gift of consecrated life in our parish school. I’m sure that many of you were also the recipients of the care, teaching, and support of religious women and men in your own upbringing.
At our core, we religious are called to be signs of hope and light, called to be joyful messengers of the Gospel. As Pope Francis said in a 2013 speech to religious-in-formation:
“Wherever there are consecrated people, seminarians, men and women religious, young people, there is joy, there is always joy! It is the joy of freshness, the joy of following Jesus; the joy that the Holy Spirit gives us, not the joy of the world. There is joy!”
This joy of following Jesus, the joy of the Gospel, shows itself in tender moments of deep encounter, when we truly see each other as God sees us. For indeed, as Pope Francis says, “joy, true joy is contagious; it is infectious… it impels one forward.” I hope, in some small way, we Jesuits have been joyful messengers of the Gospel in our encounters with you, impelling you forward to be the joyful presence of Jesus in the world.
Please pray for us—and for all religious women and men—that we may be filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, the joy of following Jesus! And pray for vocations: that young people will be open to the call to serve the Church joyfully as consecrated women and men.
– Rev. Jonathan P. Pennacchia, S.J., Pastoral Year Priest
January 25, 2026: What’s Your Spiritual Resolution?Did you make any New Year’s resolutions at the start of this year? If so, how have you been doing thus far with seeing them through?
Whether it’s starting a new hobby, embarking on a new exercise routine, giving something up for a specific amount of time, or making certain promises, the start of another new year has traditionally allowed us to see the world with new eyes and a “fresh start,” so to speak. There is something beautiful about leaning into the hopefulness and possibility of a brand-new year, especially when the realities of pain and hardship are so jarringly present in the news and current events of our lives.
But as we set New Year’s resolutions for ourselves and make plans to see them to completion, how often do we also consider resolutions that impact our inner spiritual lives? Perhaps bettering our Mass attendance or resolving to go to confession more often are options that readily come to mind—but are there some other creative and nuanced ways that we can consider when it comes to enriching our spiritual lives in this new year?
In this Sunday’s Gospel from Matthew, Jesus calls two sets of brothers, Peter & Andrew and James & John, to leave behind their fishing nets and their families to come and follow him:
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Not knowing what was to come, the first four Apostles dropped everything and followed Jesus. They left behind lives that held more assurance and perhaps, more security, and instead resolved to follow a Teacher whom they believed would change everything.
In a similar fashion, our own St. Ignatius of Loyola made a resolution. After a life-changing war injury confined him to a bed for many months, and having nothing else to read or ponder during his long convalescence other than The Life of Christ and a book about the lives of the Saints, Ignatius felt compelled to give his life to follow Jesus. When he was well enough to travel, he decided to give up a life of chivalry as a soldier and instead commit himself to a life of holiness and spiritual pilgrimage—a decision that would not only change the trajectory of his own life, but one that would have a reverberating impact for over 500 years and counting.
The best resolutions, if truly committed to, become transformative choices. In our spiritual lives, God is always inviting us into deeper relationship. The words spoken to the Apostles by Jesus, “come and follow me,” are endlessly echoed to us—it is only up to us to decide when and how to respond.
So, what if our own spiritual resolutions this year are only focused on answering one question: What can I resolve to do (or not do) this year to further deepen and strengthen my relationship with God?
Perhaps your answer is going to Mass more often or returning to the sacrament of reconciliation again after a long absence. Or perhaps you might be drawn towards a call to do something new: to join a new ministry group at the parish, to offer more of yourself in service to others, to share an area of abundance in your life with those who might not have that same privilege of abundance, to read that spirituality book that has been sitting on your bookshelf for a long time, or to seek out spiritual counseling for a challenge that you have only previously faced on your own. Maybe it’s participating in a spiritual retreat, either here at St. Ignatius or at a retreat house, or finally inquiring about finding a Spiritual Director with whom you can have ongoing spiritual conversations about your prayer life.
Let’s follow the call to be courageous, as the Apostles and St. Ignatius were in resolving to follow Christ. Whatever might be stirring your heart at this moment, don’t be afraid to make a new resolution. I promise you—it’s never too late to try.
+AMDG+
— Roxanne De La Torre, Pastoral Associate for Ignatian Spirituality & Faith Formation
January 18th Essay: More Prayer, More Intimacy
Meeting Christ in Prayer is famously practical—Jesuit practical. (There’s a familiar joke about a Franciscan, a Dominican, and a Jesuit when the church lights go out: the Franciscan praises simplicity, the Dominican preaches on divine light, and the Jesuit goes to the basement to fix the fuse.) That spirit of practicality shapes the entire program.
The eight-week series meets over Zoom on Wednesday evenings from 7 PM–8:30 PM. Each participant receives a workbook with a day-by-day guide. Even with a full life (including a toddler, two preschoolers, and a job), I found the program manageable and deeply enriching.
One of the highlights of Meeting Christ in Prayer is St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Examen, a daily prayer of awareness. The Examen unfolds in five steps: noticing where you are, recalling what you are grateful for, reviewing the day, asking for forgiveness, and preparing for tomorrow. Over time, something subtle yet profound begins to happen.
You start to recognize God’s steady presence in the ordinary moments of life—missed trains, bedtime meltdowns, successful meetings. St. Ignatius urged his companions to “find God in all things” by paying closer attention to everyday experience.
During our eight weekly meetings, we pray together, engage in guided meditation, and share honestly in a confidential setting. These faith-sharing moments foster genuine intimacy, with one another and with God.
After the final week, we attend Mass together. It was the first time I met my co-facilitator in person, and my one-year-old son gravitated toward him throughout the Mass—an unselfconscious openness that felt like a small parable. That openness stayed with me. At Christmas, while waiting to receive Communion, I recognized another participant I had known only through Zoom. We embraced immediately.
Ignatian spirituality invites us to be “contemplatives in action,” carrying what we receive in prayer outward into generosity, humility, and service. Since participating in Meeting Christ in Prayer, I’ve returned to Scripture through Lectio Divina, begun reading more deeply, and even started practicing the Examen with my children at bedtime. Together, we slow down to notice where God showed up during the day.
Jesuit theologian Walter Burghardt described this spirituality as “a long, loving look at the real.” That is what this program offers—not a retreat from everyday life, but a deeper awareness of God’s presence within it.
For me, Meeting Christ in Prayer has been a reminder that seeking intimacy with God and others through prayer—both privately and in community—is something I am capable of undertaking. In one of the last things he wrote before his death, Pope Francis said, “Believe in love, believe in God, and believe that you are capable of taking on the adventure of a love that lasts a lifetime.”
I hope you will consider joining us beginning February 4 at 7:00 p.m.
To register, click here.
— Julia King Pool
January 11, 2026 Essay: A People in PerilCould the world be witnessing the permanent dispersal of the Palestinian people? This question is prompted not simply by what is occurring in Gaza, but by what is occurring in the occupied West Bank, where Palestinians are being displaced at a rapid pace as their communities are erased.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, between October 7, 2023 (when Hamas attacked Israel) and December 7, 2025, 1,039 Palestinians—at least 225 of them children—were killed in the occupied West Bank. These deaths coincided with a violent campaign by Israeli settlers to drive Palestinians off their lands. At the same time, the Israeli government has accelerated the approval of settlements in the West Bank. Three years after Israel took control of the West Bank, after the Arab-Israeli war in 1967, there were an estimated 1500 settlers. Today, there are at least 770,000. On December 21, 2025, the Israeli government approved 19 new settlements, raising the total number of approved settlements to 200, which is an increase from 140 just three years ago. When these settlements were approved, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, himself a settler, declared: “We will continue to develop, build, and settle the inherited land of our ancestors with faith in the righteousness of our path.”
On December 20, 2025, the New York Times offered detailed reporting on the systematic campaign of intimidation and violence being used by settlers to displace Palestinians. According to the reporting of the New York Times, and independently confirmed by Israeli human rights organizations, the Israeli Defense Force, which retains authority over the West Bank, frequently turns a blind eye to the violence being perpetrated by the settlers, while at the same time facilitating the displacement of the Palestinians in response to that violence. When official action is taken in response to unprovoked violence against Palestinians, that action is anemic at best.
An Israeli settler, who is an Israeli reserve soldier serving in a regional defense unit, was filmed running his all-terrain-vehicle over a 23-year-old-Palestinian man as he knelt in prayer on the roadside outside of Ramallah. Breaking the Silence, a group of Israeli military veterans critical of the Israeli occupation, has referred to the regional defense units—which have been responsible for many other attacks on Palestinian civilians in the West Bank—as “no more than settler militias in uniform.” The IDF said that the soldier’s weapon has been confiscated and that he’s been suspended due to the “severity of the incident.” Israeli police released him from custody after a few days. He was placed under house arrest for five days, and ordered not to approach the village where the incident occurred. This same individual was involved in an earlier incident that day in a village north of Ramallah. In that incident, he opened fire on Palestinians injuring a young man.
In January 2025, the Israeli watchdog group Yesh Din reported that across more than 1,700 reports of religious or politically motivated hate crimes committed by Israelis against Palestinians in the West Bank over the past two decades, nearly 94% of them were closed without any indictment and only 3% resulted in a conviction. At the same time, some 8,000 Palestinians are currently being held indefinitely in Israeli prisons without trial, many of them under “administrative detention orders” which prevent detainees, and their lawyers, from reviewing the evidence against them. Settlers may not be held under the same orders. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the goal was “to convey a clear message of strengthening and encouraging the settlements.”
As this systematic campaign of expulsions continues, the Israeli government, in late December, became the first country to recognize the break-away region of Somaliland. Earlier last year, it was reported that the United States and Israeli governments had asked whether Somaliland would accept displaced Palestinians. Somaliland denied that such conversations occurred.
— Fr. Mark Hallinan, S.J., Associate Pastor
January 4th Essay: The Legacy of Pope Francis: 2026 Lecture SeriesAs the Holy Year of Hope comes to an end with the closing of the Holy Doors, it is time to announce our 2026 Lecture Series, which will have as its theme “The Legacy of Pope Francis.” The calendar of lectures can be found elsewhere in the E-Newsletters and Sunday Bulletins of recent weeks. As each lecture approaches, the speaker will offer an essay on his particular topic.
Francis’s papacy (2013-2025) was marked by a distinct focus on humility, social justice, interfaith dialogue, and environmental stewardship, contributing to his legacy as one of the most influential popes in modern history.
One of Pope Francis’s most significant legacies was his commitment to social justice and the plight of the marginalized. Throughout his papacy, he emphasized the Church’s role in advocating for the poor and marginalized, calling for a more equitable distribution of resources and a renewed focus on humanitarian issues. This commitment was evident in his outreach to those living in poverty, his strong stance against human trafficking, and his support for refugees and migrants. He encouraged Catholics to engage in acts of charity and social justice, mapping a path for the Church to follow in addressing systemic issues like inequality and discrimination.
Interfaith dialogue was another cornerstone of Pope Francis’s legacy. He consistently promoted understanding and cooperation among different religions. His historic visit to Egypt in 2017, where he met with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, was particularly noteworthy, emphasizing the need for mutual respect among varying faith traditions. By fostering relationships between Christianity and other faiths, especially Islam, Pope Francis aimed to counteract religious extremism and promote peace in a world often divided by belief systems.
Environmental stewardship also played a pivotal role in Francis’s papacy, with the encyclical “Laudato Si’” being a critical document in this regard. Released in 2015, it calls for urgent action to combat climate change, emphasizing the moral imperative to protect the planet and care for creation. This document resonates with many outside the Church, as it aligns with global movements advocating for environmental sustainability. Pope Francis encouraged individuals, communities, and governments to prioritize the health of the Earth, framing environmental concerns as both a spiritual and social duty.
Pope Francis brought about a more inclusive Church, advocating for the integration of women in church leadership roles and a more compassionate approach to issues such as divorce and remarriage. His emphasis on mercy over judgment represented a shift in tone for the Church, appealing to many who have felt alienated from institutional religion. By embracing a more pastoral approach, he sought to make the Church more welcoming and reflective of the diverse realities faced by its followers today.
Moreover, Pope Francis’s approach to governance within the Vatican was marked by a call for transparency and accountability. He worked to reform the Vatican’s bureaucracy, addressing corruption and financial malpractice, aiming to lead the Church with integrity. His efforts to bolster financial transparency reflect a desire to restore trust in the Church’s governance and ensure that resources are directed towards charitable missions and community support.
Despite facing criticism, both from traditionalists who found his views too progressive and from reform advocates who felt he hadn’t gone far enough, Pope Francis continued to push the Church toward a more inclusive and socially aware identity. His papacy sparked conversations about the role of religion in modern society and the responsibilities of faith leaders to tackle pressing global issues.
Pope Francis’s legacy is characterized by his unwavering emphasis on social justice, interfaith dialogue, environmental stewardship, inclusivity, and reform within the Church. His efforts to transform the Church’s engagement with contemporary issues made a significant impact, resonating with believers and non-believers alike. In an era that often seems to be defined by division, his message of compassion, understanding, and action remains particularly relevant, shaping the future of the Catholic Church and its role in the world.
The first lecture will be on Monday, February 9, at 7:00 PM in Wallace Hall. Save the date!
— Fr. Michael Hilbert, S.J., Associate Pastor