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April 21, 2025, Adrian, Michigan – On behalf of Adrian Dominican Sisters and Associates, the Congregation’s General Council issued the following statement in response to the death of Pope Francis.
 
We awakened this Easter Monday to the sorrowful news that our beloved Pope Francis, 88, has died.
 
Irish American Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo or acting head, somberly announced: “Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”  
 
In his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis made consequential changes to our Church and world for which we will always be grateful. Among these, he called us into a culture of encuentro with one another, into an integral ecology for the common good of God’s people and our Earth home, and into being a Synodal Church – inclusive, listening, and in communion on mission. In powerful word, gesture and deed, he reached out with great compassion to the desperate, destitute and marginalized, cried out for an end to the horror of war and for joyfully embracing migrants in welcome.
 
We hold Pope Francis in prayer as he enters new life in God’s loving embrace. We also pray for our Church and world as we mourn the loss of this loving, impactful global leader – that we may carry forward his historic legacy.
 

Photo credit: "File:Farewell to Pope Francis in the Galeão Air Force Base.jpg" by Tania Rego/ABr is licensed under CC BY 3.0.