Professors, students reflect on controversial papacy
In the early morning of Easter Monday, in the quiet of Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88. The result of stroke and irreversible heart failure, his death reverberated deeply across the global Catholic community. Here at the University of Notre Dame, scholars, clergy, and students alike paused to reflect on the complex legacy left behind.
In an April 21 press release, university president Father Robert Dowd, C.S.C., praised Pope Francis’ “heroic and prophetic ministry,” saying that his “life and witness call us to awaken from indifference to the suffering of others, to embrace our responsibilities to one another and to be agents of faith, hope and love for a world in need.”
During his time as pontiff, Pope Francis specifically urged Notre Dame to stay true and close to the Church.
In a 2014 papal audience, Pope Francis addressed Notre Dame president emeritus, Fr. John Jenkins, C.S.C., and the Board of Trustees: “It is my hope that the University of Notre Dame will continue to offer unambiguous testimony to this aspect of its foundational Catholic identity, especially in the face of efforts, from whatever quarter, to dilute that indispensable witness. And this is important: its identity, as it was intended from the beginning. To defend it, to preserve it and to advance it!”
In his February 2024 audience with Notre Dame’s officers, Pope Francis thanked Fr. Dowd and the Board of Trustees, entrusting the “entire Notre Dame community and all who support its mission to the intercession of Our Lady.” He said, “I invoke upon you and your families the Lord’s gifts of wisdom, joy and peace, and I cordially impart my blessing.” He concluded the audience, saying, “And I ask you, please, to remember to pray for me.”
Pope Francis’ death created varied reactions among the faculty and student body, especially in regards to his legacy on the Catholic Church and the world.
John Cavadini, professor of theology and Director of the McGrath Institute for Church Life, stated, “For me, Pope Francis’ legacy could be summed up in a phrase that I found particularly attractive. He called for a ‘revolution of tenderness.’”
He continued, “In his contemplation of the mystery of Mary, Mother of the Church, her maternal tenderness towards the scorned of history and the suffering of the world stood out.”
“Above anything else, I would say that Pope Francis’ pontificate emphasized the personal, he would say the ‘real,’ because ultimately it is the personal, not the abstract; the person, not the aggregate; the vulnerable, not the self-styled self-sufficient; that will constitute the Kingdom of Heaven. To which, as Pope, he felt called to be the first and most public witness.”
Father Wilson Miscamble, C.S.C. called for prayers for Pope Francis following the pontiff’s death, commending his emphasis on mercy and evangelization. “His efforts to make the Church a ‘field hospital’ for the wounded of our time are to be treasured,” he told the Rover.
Fr. Miscamble reflected on Pope Francis’ papal legacy, saying, “Regrettably, much of the initial promise of the Francis papacy either remained unfulfilled or proved disappointing.”
He continued, “Francis spoke out against ridding the Church of clergy sexual abuse but proved quite inconsistent in implementing measures to counter this blight which has done such damage to the Church. Furthermore, Pope Francis’ promotion of ‘synodality’ was rather confusing and at seeming odds with his own expressed desire to make the Church less ‘self-referential’ and internally focused.”
Fr. Miscamble remarked, “No doubt there are some at Notre Dame who appreciated that Pope Francis gave enhanced emphasis to certain issues like the environment while reducing the attention his predecessors had given to the fundamental life issues that so set the Church apart from elite American opinion. For myself, I am grateful that Pope Francis at least spoke up forcefully for life whenever he did—even to likening having an abortion to hiring a ‘hitman.’”
“Let us pray that the next pope will address some of these limitations of the Francis papacy while continuing his sincere efforts to bring Christ’s message to the world,” he concluded.
Junior Maddie Colbert commented to the Rover, “I found Pope Francis’ advocacy for promoting integral human development and his ‘culture of encounter’ to be deeply inspiring.”
She continued, “He exemplified what it means to love those on the margins and to see Christ in the poor. His focus on dialogue with others and listening as a form of love is so necessary to addressing challenges and division from a Catholic lens.”
A graduating senior told the Rover, “Pope Francis’ reign was met with mixed and often disappointed reactions from theologically orthodox and liturgically traditional Catholics.” The same student expressed, “We were greatly discouraged by his lack of pastoral gentleness to faithful Catholics attached to the Traditional Latin Mass, questionable episcopal appointments, and his pension for confusing statements in need of ‘clarification.’”
Looking ahead, he continued, “If the sheer number of catechumens and converts are indicative of anything going forward, I think under the next pope the Church could be poised for a real renaissance—in everything from art and beautiful liturgy, to a re-evangelization fully integrated with our commitment to the poor and marginalized.”
A campus-wide Division of Student Affairs email stated, “Together, Notre Dame students, faculty, and staff join the Catholic Church and the wider world to prayerfully mourn the passing of Pope Francis.” Additionally, Campus Ministry hosted a rosary for students, faculty, staff to “pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis” at 8:00 p.m. on April 21 at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Given that the Holy Father’s death coincided with the Easter Octave, many have raised questions regarding the balance between mourning the Pope’s passing while also participating in the joy of the Paschal season. According to Father Brian Ching, rector of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, “The guidance we have received from the Diocesan Office of Worship is that the Masses for the Octave of Easter should remain.”
He continued, “Beginning on Monday, April 28, a priest may use the Mass for a Deceased Pope at his discretion on weekdays. The nine days of mourning or novendiales begins on a date chosen by the College of Cardinals (which is usually the day of the Pope’s funeral). We will certainly use the Mass for the Deceased Pope at the Basilica during that period and there will be an opportunity for the Notre Dame community to formally gather for a memorial Mass at some point in the near future.”
The conclave for the next pope usually begins within 15–20 days following the death of the previous pontiff, likely beginning sometime between May 6 and May 12. Pope Francis’ funeral Mass must occur four to six days after his death, likely taking place between April 25 and April 27. For that reason, Blessed Carlo Acutis’ canonization has been postponed until further notice.
Lydia Poe is a junior majoring in finance and international business from Shawnee, Kansas. She can be reached at lpoe01@saintmarys.edu.
Photo Credit: Vatican Media
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