In a statement, the Catholic Church-affiliated university announced that the passing of Pope Francis “leaves a deep sorrow among believers and all those who found in his words, gestures, and actions a luminous testimony of humility, generosity, closeness, and hope.”
In the statement, Rector Isabel Capeloa Gil reflected on the Pope’s legacy of hope, “a message particularly relevant in a world of dissidence and contradictions, where Pope Francis was the ultimate ethical leader.”
The visit to the Catholic University on the occasion of World Youth Day in 2023 is remembered as “an unforgettable and deeply significant moment for the entire academic community,” during which Pope Francis challenged young people “to fight against complacency and fear” and encouraged them to combine “academic excellence with ethical and social commitment.”
“In this moment of mourning, we reaffirm our commitment to Pope Francis’s legacy. May his life, dedicated to serving the poorest, interfaith dialogue, climate justice, and a culture of encounter, continue to inspire our path as a Catholic University. May his testimony of tenderness and firmness, simplicity and wisdom, help us to be, as he asked, ‘artisans of the future,'” the statement read.
The University of Lisbon also expressed “deep sorrow” over Pope Francis’s death, describing him as an “indispensable figure of our time” who will be remembered for his “unwavering commitment to social justice, interfaith dialogue, and human dignity,” leaving a legacy that “transcends borders and will continue to inspire generations,” stated João Sàágua in a statement.
The University of Lisbon recalled Pope Francis’s role in “defending the most vulnerable,” his “constant appeal for peace,” and his concern with issues such as climate change, social inclusion, and church renewal “in a spirit of closeness and humility.”
“His humanist and reformist vision resonated strongly in the academic environment, encouraging reflection and debate on the major challenges of our time,” highlighted the University of Lisbon in a statement.
Pope Francis passed away today at the age of 88, following a 12-year papacy marked by fighting sexual abuse, advocating for world peace amid various witnessed wars, and environmental advocacy.
Born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, Francis was the first Jesuit to ascend to the leadership of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis had been hospitalized for 38 days due to bilateral pneumonia, receiving his discharge on March 23.
His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday at the Vatican, the day before he passed away.
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