Hendricks Chapel Reflects on the Legacy of Pope Francis

If you need an expert to discuss the legacy of Pope Francis, you may want to consider Syracuse University Catholic Father Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv., or The Rev. Brian E. Konkol, Ph.D., vice president and dean of Hendricks Chapel. He shared the commentary below. If you’d like to schedule an interview, please reach out to Vanessa Marquette, media relations specialist, at vrmarque@syr.edu.

Father Gerry writes: “What a sad day for the holy Roman Catholic Church, and indeed for the whole world… the passing into eternity of our beloved Holy Father Pope Francis! A Jesuit by profession, but a Franciscan at heart (he chose his name Francis after St Francis of Assisi) he was a kind and gentle giant as he advocated for the poor and the disenfranchised, the migrants, and for our planet and environment (Laudato Si). He was an agent of change and fought tirelessly for a more inclusive Catholic Church (“who am I to judge?”). In my opinion, he was the epitome of Jesus himself, especially as he told us, his priests, that we should “smell like our sheep,” meaning that our work is with and among the people, not behind desks. Like Jesus, he modeled that exact behavior, visiting prisons, washing the feet of the poorest of the poor, caring for he least among us. There are some big shoes to fill in the Vatican, for the Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Church. Come, Holy Spirit, we seek your guidance, wisdom, and power as we move forward into the future!”

Brian Konkol writes: “The passing of Pope Francis marks the loss of a global leader whose example transcends borders and beliefs. Through his Jesuit commitment to finding God in all things, he reminded the Catholic community and beyond that love for others is a shared and sacred responsibility. While historians will surely debate his legacy, the bold voice and humble presence of Pope Francis will surely be missed, and the influence of his devout life will endure.”