Pope Francis
17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025
As the Conclave Begins
Cardinals from around the world entered into the Conclave on May 7th to prayerfully elect a new Chair of Peter. We pray the Spirit will guide the cardinal electors as they make their choice.
As educators in all we do, we wanted to offer some resources to those who are learning about the election of a new pope for the first time. Here are is a small list of resources that contain a wealth of knowledge on the topic and are easy to understand.
We invite you to join us in praying for the cardinal electors and for the future of our Church.
More information about the Conclave can be found on the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s website and on Vatican News Website.
From the Archdiocese of Baltimore: How Does the Conclave Work?
From Vatican News:
How locking cardinals in a room became known as a conclave
For in-depth coverage on the conclave, decision makers, and for answers to questions you didn't even know you had, be sure to visit inpedent Catholic News source, The Pillar.
Remembering Pope Francis
Statement by Provincial Leader, Sister Charmaine Krohe and Provincial Council
It is with great sadness that we, School Sisters of Notre Dame of the Atlantic-Midwest Province, join with the global community to mourn the passing of our dear Holy Father, Pope Francis. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the gift of his life and pontificate.
Through his life and teachings, he showed us how to live simply, champion the poor and vulnerable, embrace all cultures and faiths, advocate for justice and peace, listen to the cries of the earth, and respond to the needs of the world with compassionate love. He was the quintessential example of servant leadership who embodied the values of the Gospel and reminded us that mercy matters. He was a man who challenged us in this Jubilee Year to be Pilgrims of Hope.
When Pope Francis welcomed the School Sisters of Notre Dame on the occasion of our 25th General Chapter, he thanked us for making Christ visible by our presence, faith, hope, and love in a fractured and divided world. He encouraged us to continue being, “courageous witnesses of evangelical solidarity at a time when many are experiencing fragmentation and disunity.” He invited us, "to discern how (we) can more effectively bear witness to the joy of the Gospel, especially through (our) educational apostolate and service. I bless you and all your sisters throughout the world from my heart," he said.
As we prepare for the election of new leadership in our province, may we seek leaders who, like Pope Francis, call us to respond to the needs of the world with one heart and one soul.
Rest in peace, Pope Francis. We will miss you!
Thank God for the gift of Pope Francis! By Colleen Kammer, Director of Justic, Peace, and Integrity of Creation
I praise and thank God for the gift of Pope Francis! By his example, he reminded us of the fundamentals of our Gospel Call and raised our consciousness of the just relationships that we must foster with all the earth’s communities. His humility and appealing nature were effective in challenging the world on divisive issues. He has set the stage for a more synodal and inclusive Church. I pray for the next Pope to assimilate Francis’ principles into his papacy as he brings his unique perspective of leadership to our Church. May the Holy Spirit guide us well!
Hope By Lauren Ciotti, Director of Communications
When Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis, he inherited a Church still very much mourning it’s beloved St. Pope John Paul II. I remember attending a papal audience in March of 2012 with Pope Benedict XVI in a nearly empty square. It was heartbreaking to see so few seek an opportunity to see our Holy Father. A little less than a year later, Benedict resigned from his role as bishop of Rome and gave the Church an avenue for the Spirit to breathe new life, new hope into our hearts. I am grateful for his pontificate and am again praying for the spirit to usher in new life and hope in this jubilee year. May the soul of Pope Francis rest in Peace.
