As Catholics around the world mourn following Pope Francis’ death at age 88 on Easter Monday morning, Canada’s Catholic educators and theologians are reflecting with gratitude on his life of compassionate, justice-driven faith.

While viewed by some as a polarizing figure in the realm of theology due to his more "progressive" approaches, Pope Francis’ commitment to discussions and education on the Catholic Church as needing to be "rooted in love" remains a memorable testament to his overall vision of unity.

For Dr. Mark Yenson, the interim vice president and academic dean at King's University College in London, Ont., Francis’ constant drive towards creating a more united and synodal Church helped lay the foundation on which  Catholic studies flourished over the past decade.

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“It has been an exciting time to teach theology and Catholic studies because we could chart through Francis' leadership and his pontifical struggles and the hopes for the Catholic Church,” he said. “Whether it be integration of teachings of the Second Vatican Council, a move toward greater diversity and inclusion, especially in the Global South, or sparking different kinds of synodal conversations on a global scale.”

Yenson, who also teaches Catholic studies at King’s, had the chance to meet Pope Francis during a Vatican conference with theologians in December.

“I have been thinking back to that moment of encounter a lot (today),” he said. “It was a brief encounter, and I remember  thanking him for his visit to Canada in 2022. In that moment, I could see his perseverance, courage, but also his fragility.

“We knew that he was ailing, and he looked fatigued when in public, but (his death) still came as a shock.”

Catherine Clifford, a  professor of theology at Saint Paul University in Ottawa for over two decades and a delegate to the Synod on Synods, also met with Pope Francis on multiple occasions. For her, his constant mindfulness toward those he interacted with is what sticks out the most.

“He had this remarkable gift of being completely present to each person he met. I was a delegate at the synod for these last two years, and it was striking to see an elderly Pope who was committed, fully aware and as mindful as possible,” she said.

“ He was someone who was open, welcoming and always ready to listen to everyone and showed tremendous respect for the dignity of every person.”

Fellow academic Scott Nicholson, chairman of theology and professor of Sacred Scripture at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College in Barry’s Bay, Ont., shared his gratitude for Pope Francis' apostolic letter Scripturae Sacrae Affectus on the 1,600th anniversary of the death of St. Jerome.

Pope Francis had met with members of the International Network for Societies for Catholic Theology in May 2024, where he deemed the study as both significant and necessary as a ministry in its own right. The Pope noted three important guidelines for a healthy understanding of theology in today’s world: hope through Jesus Christ, assessing epochal changes and fostering a common understanding of what it means to be human. He emphasized that love, above all else, should be the core of the service of theology.

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“A sapiential theology is thus a theology of love, because ‘whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love,' ” the Pope said last May.

On the theme of Catholic education as a whole, Pope Francis remained outspoken in his defence of its inherent importance, principally in the wake of a culture of misinformation.

In a message to a delegation from English-speaking Catholic universities on April 20, 2022, Francis stated that educators are called to nurture “the desire for truth, goodness and beauty that lies in the heart of each individual, so that all may learn how to love life and be open to the fullness of life.”

“(Catholic education) is also evangelization, bearing witness to the joy of the Gospel and its power to renew our communities and provide hope and strength in wisely facing the challenges of the present time,” the message continued.

Those views, while seemingly broad and all encompassing, have had a direct impact on those on the forefront of Catholic education — be it staff or students.

“Pope Francis has been a prophetic leader of the Church, and though his commitment to the poor and in giving a simple and humble style of leadership that  calls us to be a humble, more authentic, Christian community, is something that not only speaks to me, but has also spoken to my students over all these years,” Clifford said.

While King's Yenson reflects on Francis’ death, he’s hopeful the Pope’s legacy will endure as a reminder of synodality’s vital role in Catholic theology.

“ I think that Pope Francis really set a tone during his life, and I don't see us moving back from that. One aspect that is challenging the Church is not to be self-referential, but to continue to work outwards,” Yenson said.

“Something fundamental to his thoughts is that we deal with polarities and different viewpoints, but we can work patiently together. Reconciliation is not the same as polarization, and he was always very concerned with polarization. That synodal work is important for the Church, but I think it's also important for Catholic education and universities as well going forward.”

For Clifford, the parting images of Pope Francis left in her mind are from his final days, where, even in his deteriorated state, he remained committed to shepherding his people.

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“ He understood the Church to be a people. In a sense, we had forgotten the Second Vatican Council's understanding of that reality. Francis has, in a sense, brought that back to the centre of concern,” she said.

“Even with failing health,  he made the effort to be with prisoners on Holy Thursday, to be with the people in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday and to speak to the world about the urgent need to work together for peace. To me, that is an image of a pastor who has, right to the very end, made every possible effort to be with his people and to remind them of the Gospel message.”