Campus Ministry
President
April 21, 2025
Today is a sad day here on The Bluff and across the globe as we mourn the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. We join the Church and the world as we pray in thanksgiving for the Holy Father's ministry and witness. We also ask that this good shepherd rest in the loving embrace of our Good Shepherd, and that all who mourn may know God's comfort and consolation.
Our Office of Campus Ministry will soon be in touch with details on how the passing of Pope Francis will be marked in our Chapel of Christ the Teacher and across campus. Please visit the Campus Ministry website for the latest information.
In the coming days, much will be written about the life and ministry of Pope Francis. I encourage each one of us - whether Catholic, of another faith tradition, or of no faith tradition - to find a quiet moment to reflect upon how he served the needs of the world and its human family.
When I ponder the Holy Father's ministry, the virtues of humility, mercy, and compassion are prominent in my mind. Born to an Italian immigrant family in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis dreamed of a "poor church" standing in close solidarity with those on the margins of society. His seemingly simple acts of eschewing papal vestments, living in a humble apartment, and washing the feet of prisoners on Holy Thursday are, in fact, profound expressions of a deep commitment to the poor, the downtrodden, and those who live on the peripheries.
I will similarly never forget how Pope Francis, upon being named Pontiff, said, "I am a sinner" and asked for the world to pray for him. Here he was - a deeply holy man and the leader of the Catholic Church - acknowledging his shortcomings and asking us to pray for him! Finally, many years ago, I read a quote from one of the Pope's writings and it has stuck with me ever since: "The Church does not exist to condemn people, but to bring about an encounter with the visceral love of God's mercy." Amen!
He was, indeed, a man of great humility, mercy, and compassion.
Today and in days and weeks ahead, we will mourn the Pope's passing. We will feel grief and sadness. We should not run from these emotions but, instead, embrace them as necessary steps on the journey toward healing. And as we emerge from these feelings of sorrow and loss, I hope that our sadness may be supplanted by a desire to honor Pope Francis's legacy by, ourselves living lives of humility, mercy, and compassion.
Each of us is affected by loss in different ways. As always, Campus Ministry, the Counseling Center, Pastoral Residents, Hall Staff, Student Affairs team, Human Resources, and, indeed, many others are here to help. Please never hesitate to reach out if you need support.
May Mary, Untier of Knots, to whom Pope Francis had a special devotion, intercede on our behalf in this time of mourning.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May Pope Francis rest in peace.
Sincerely,
Robert D. Kelly, PhD
President
University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
503.943.8000
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