Campus community memorializes Pope Francis’ legacy in Wednesday Mass
On Wednesday, students, faculty and staff paused their weekday schedules and took time to remember Pope Francis’ life and legacy, specifically his compassion and help for others. He was internationally recognized for his support for the LGBTQ+ community and underserved countries. Solange Jain | Photo Editor
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Father Gerry Waterman was sitting at his desk on Elon University’s campus in 2013 when he heard the news that Jorge Mario Bergoglio had been elected as the Catholic Church’s next pope.
Waterman recalled being struck by the pope’s choice to be known as Pope Francis — not after Saint Francis Xavier, who co-founded the Jesuit Order that Pope Francis was a member of, but after Saint Francis of Assisi, who founded the Franciscan Order and was known for embracing poverty in his spiritual journey.
“From that moment, Pope Francis tried to have a church that is poor and for the poor,” Waterman said.
At a Wednesday Mass in honor of Pope Francis, the Syracuse University community commemorated his legacy, especially his compassion, humility and care for historically marginalized groups.
Originally from Argentina, Pope Francis was the first pope from the Americas. He died Monday — the day after making a public appearance in the Vatican for Easter — at age 88.
About 35 students, faculty and staff gathered for Wednesday’s Mass. Sunlight filtered softly through the chapel windows as members of the community walked in, several bowing before the altar before the Mass began. A life-size cutout of Pope Francis stood at the front of the chapel.
Waterman, Hendricks Chapel’s Catholic chaplain, led the Mass and delivered a homily. He said it was important to recognize the pope’s legacy at SU because of the large Catholic faith community on campus.
Catholics around the world have mourned Pope Francis’ passing, from Spain and Italy to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Brazil, the BBC reported. A funeral will be held for him on Saturday at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, followed by a period of mourning and a conclave to elect the next pope.
Waterman said he hoped attendees remember Pope Francis’ legacy across different groups, not just for people of the Catholic faith. Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol echoed this, saying Pope Francis transcended boundaries and beliefs.
“He’s obviously very special and important as the Holy Father to the Catholic community, and for those who do not identify as Catholic or who don’t even identify as Christian, he is a moral example about how to embody your beliefs with compassion and with humility and with boldness,” Konkol said.
Pope Francis died Monday, less than 24 hours after delivering an Easter address at the Vatican. He was 88. Solange Jain | Photo Editor
In his homily, Waterman highlighted Pope Francis’ lifestyle choices as leader of the Catholic Church and the example he set.
Pope Francis shunned luxuries — he opted to drive a small car, lived in simple rooms at the Vatican guesthouse instead of the palatial pope’s apartments and wore orthopedic shoes instead of designer shoes, Waterman said.
“The people of God want pastors, not clergy acting like bureaucrats or government officials. Frequently, we act as arbiters of grace, rather than facilitators. But the church is not a toll house,” Waterman said. “It is a house of the Father, where there’s a place for everyone with all their problems. The church is a field house for sinners, not a country club for the perfect.”
Members of the Catholic Student Association who attended the Mass also said they were inspired by Pope Francis’ compassion and his leadership of the Catholic Church.
“A lot of people have misconceptions about the Catholic Church sometimes, and he definitely attempted to erase some of those, which is really great,” Adriana Leone, a freshman television, radio and film major, said. “I think it’s important to celebrate his life and everything that he’s done for us.”
As the world waits for the announcement of the next pope, members of the Catholic community are left wondering whether the next pope will continue Pope Francis’ legacy, Alessandra Barlas, a senior biology major, said.
“Pope Francis left an incredible impact on the Catholic community worldwide, and I think his death really hit a lot of us hard, because he was such an incredible pope, very progressive, very humble, very inclusive,” Barlas said.
She said Wednesday’s Mass encouraged her to continue Pope Francis’ legacy in her own life. As college students at a privileged university, it can be easy to forget about communities who need help, so Barlas said it’s important to remember Pope Francis’ humility.
Lillie Kochis, a freshman broadcast and digital journalism major, pointed to Pope Francis’ acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community as another important aspect of his legacy.
Pope Francis was internationally recognized for his stance on LGBTQ+ rights. He allowed priests to bless same-sex couples and famously said, “Who am I to judge?” in response to a question about allowing gay men to serve as priests. He also took steps to address sexual abuse in the church, connect with communities in underserved and conflicted areas of the world and diversify the church’s leadership, according to The New York Times.
“The way he championed LGBTQ+ rights in the church, the way he championed taking care of immigrants, it was huge stuff that not a lot of people were willing to press the buttons on, and he was,” Kochis said. “A lot of us are hoping and praying that that (legacy) can be continued.”
After the Mass concluded, attendees returned to their normal Wednesday schedules. Konkol said he hoped the mid-day pause for the Mass would inspire reflection.
“As we think about how we want to remember Pope Francis, it’s also worthwhile for us to think about how we want to be remembered and to live in such a way to be remembered well,” Konkol said.
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