We are deeply saddened by the death of His Holiness Pope Francis on 21st April 2025.

Pope Francis led the Church with humility and compassion, championing the cause of the poor and marginalised throughout his papacy. He had a profound love for children: “Children are a sign of every person’s desire to grow and flourish. You remind us that we are all children, brothers and sisters.” He called on us to protect and cherish every child, emphasising that “the disadvantaged cannot be thrown away… every person is a sacred gift.”

His vision of a “poor Church for the poor” challenged us to serve with humility and to lift up those most in need. He reminded us that “the poor cannot keep waiting for justice and solidarity,” urging immediate and compassionate action.

Hope was central to Pope Francis’s message. He often spoke of hope as both a gift and a responsibility, stating, “Hope is a gift and a task for every Christian… it is God who offers it to us”. He encouraged us to be “sowers of hope,” bringing light to the darkest corners of society.

At the Catholic Children’s Society, we will be forever grateful for the inspiring example Pope Francis gave us and his unwavering commitment to the vulnerable and marginalised. We will honour his legacy by continuing in our mission to support children and families facing disadvantage. This Jubilee Year, let us all act on his call to “Become Pilgrims of Hope”. For as His Holiness stated at his final Easter Vigil:

“The light quietly shines forth, even though we are in darkness; the promise of new life and a world finally set free awaits us”

May Pope Francis rest in eternal peace.