For the past 12 years, Pope Francis has led with heart, compassion and humility, guiding one of the world’s most diverse and complex communities: the Catholic Church.

Since the very beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis has been a steadfast supporter of Caritas Internationalis, the global confederation that includes Caritas Australia. His words and actions have deeply shaped our work for justice, peace and dignity for all.

In 2023, while addressing the Caritas Internationalis General Assembly, Pope Francis reminded us why our work matters so deeply:

“Charity – caritas – is our very life… When we embrace God’s love and when we love one another in him, we plumb the depths of our identity… We perceive clearly how every life is unique and inalienable, a marvel in the eyes of God.”

Pope Francis has always lived this message. From his early visit to Lampedusa, where he stood in solidarity with refugees fleeing hardship, to his powerful words urging compassion for migrants and the marginalised, he has called us, again and again, to put human dignity first.

Coming from a migrant family himself, he truly understood the pain of displacement. And in his final weeks, he returned to this theme, urging leaders not to be swayed by fear-driven narratives, but to remember that “authentic rule of law needs to be built on the dignity of every person.”

He didn’t just speak about love, he called us to action. In 2015, his groundbreaking encyclical Laudato Si’ challenged us to listen to “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” It became a rallying call for Caritas and so many others working to care for people and planet alike.

One of his most profound legacies will be the practice of synodality, a way of walking together as Church, where every voice matters, and where leadership is shared, not imposed. He also chose leaders from the edges of society, those with lived experience, those closest to the people.

In his recent autobiography Hope, Pope Francis quoted composer Gustav Mahler: “Tradition is not the worship of ashes; it is the preservation of fire.” And indeed, Pope Francis lit a fire in the hearts of so many—one of hope, justice and mercy.

As Robert Fitzgerald, AM, Chair of Caritas Australia, shared:

“Caritas gives thanks to God for the life and leadership of a figure of enormous hope. We pray that we will embody his mission of humble service to those in greatest need and to creation. The world has been richly blessed and will mourn his loss.”

We give thanks for Pope Francis’ extraordinary legacy, and we commit to carrying his vision forward in our work and our lives.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.