This Non-Governmental Development Organization, part of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference (CEP), stated that “[Francis], with firmness and humility, dreamed of a Church for all, all, all and guided it through paths of renewal and openness, promoting dialogue among cultures, religions, and peoples.”
“His tireless dedication to the poorest, marginalized, and peripheral realities inspired our mission and our daily intervention. His pontificate strengthened the Church’s commitment to social justice, human dignity, and care for our Common Home,” added this organization, whose mission is to promote integral human development, envisioning a society where every person can live with dignity and justice.
Founded in 1990, FEC currently has projects in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and Portugal.
The Union of Portuguese Misericórdias (UMP) also responded to the Pope’s death, highlighting “the legacy of peace and simplicity he left to all who believe in human goodness.”
“During his pontificate, Pope Francis was an example of humility, compassion, and dedication to serving the most in need, preaching a message of love, peace, and social justice,” emphasized the UMP.
The institution recalled that in the Proclamation Bull of the 2025 Ordinary Jubilee ‘Spes non Confundit – hope does not mislead,’ Francis “presented a set of reflections and proposals that directly touched the mission and values of the Misericórdias,” urging them “to mobilize around the most vulnerable.”
“With this loss, the Misericórdias of Portugal are poorer, but richer with the example of work and mission he left us,” the UMP added.
“Pope Francis was the pontiff for those on the fringes of society and a tireless fighter for religious freedom and oppressed Christians. This is how we remember him and we trust that now we have another intercessor in Heaven for our work,” responded Regina Lynch, the executive president of the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (Foundation AIS), in a note released by the institution’s Portuguese Secretariat.
In the note, Lynch recalled various actions led by Pope Francis in favor of persecuted Christians and his many efforts towards ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue.
“There were many points of contact between the Foundation AIS and the late Pope, not only concerning his commitment to religious freedom and persecuted Christians, but also his dedication to evangelization and prayer,” Lynch emphasized, adding that “the Foundation AIS mourns a messenger of dialogue, encounter, and mercy.”
Pope Francis passed away today at age 88, following a 12-year pontificate marked by the fight against sexual abuse, wars, and a pandemic. Born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, he was the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis was hospitalized for 38 days due to bilateral pneumonia and was discharged on March 23.
His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday at the Vatican, the day before he died.
