Catholic teachers mourn death of Pope Francis

John Nish, President of the Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges (CATSC) writes:

It is with profound sadness and deep gratitude that the Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges (CATSC) joins the universal Church in mourning the death of His Holiness, Pope Francis. A shepherd of humility, wisdom, and courageous faith, Pope Francis led the Church with a heart close to the poor, the marginalised, and the young-especially those entrusted to our care in Catholic education.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis illuminated the path of missionary discipleship, urging educators to be witnesses of the joy of the Gospel. His encyclical Laudato Si' called us to a renewed commitment to care for our common home, emphasising the moral and spiritual dimensions of ecology that must form part of our educational mission. In Fratelli Tutti, he beckoned us toward a culture of fraternity and social friendship, urging schools and colleges to be places of encounter, solidarity, and peace-building.

In his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis reminded us that education is not merely about the transmission of knowledge, but about the encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. He challenged us as teachers and leaders to be "missionary disciples" who go forth, engage, accompany, and bear lasting fruit. His deep trust in the potential of young people to transform the world has strengthened our collective vocation as educators in Catholic schools and colleges.

We give thanks for Pope Francis' radiant witness to the Gospel and his unwavering belief in the power of Catholic education to form hearts and minds for justice, mercy, and communion. May we continue to walk in the light he has shared, ever more committed to forming communities of faith, hope, and love.

Let us pray:

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.