Above: Pope Francis greets Carroll College President Dr. John Cech at the Vatican.
Dear Carroll College Students, Faculty, Staff, Trustees, Alumni, and Friends:
It is with deep sorrow that I write to you today to acknowledge the passing of Pope Francis, who returned to the house of the Father this morning at the age of 88. As the Bishop of Rome and shepherd to over a billion Catholics worldwide, Pope Francis dedicated his life to the service of the Lord and His Church, teaching us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love—especially for the poorest and most marginalized.
Pope Francis’s legacy is one of compassion, humility, and a relentless pursuit of justice and dignity for all people. His example as a true disciple of Christ has inspired not only the global Catholic community but also countless individuals of goodwill throughout the world.
I had the opportunity to speak with Bishop Vetter this morning as he was departing for Rome for a previously scheduled meeting. He has offered the following statement to share with our Carroll community:
With sadness, Bishop Vetter and the Diocese of Helena mourn the death of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. In this Jubilee Year of Hope decreed by Pope Francis, we are now witnesses to his ultimate pilgrimage of hope to the embrace of our loving God and ask for all to join in praying for the repose of his soul. From the time of his election as Supreme Pontiff in 2013, Pope Francis has shown time and again his dedication to the poor and vulnerable, the marginalized, and the migrant. He has been for us a great model of proclaiming the mercy of God, of stewardship, listening, and discipleship of Jesus Christ. Today we entrust his soul to our Blessed Mother, asking her intercession to accompany him to the house of the Father.
Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
~ The Most Reverend Austin A. Vetter,
Bishop of Helena and Chancellor of Carroll College
Fr. Patrick Beretta, chair of the Carroll College Board of Trustees, offered this personal reflection:
It was said of Francis of Assisi that he reconverted the Catholic Church to the Gospel. It can also be said about the Pope who took the saint’s name and many of his ideals almost 800 years later.
Pope Francis was a man of deeply meaningful gestures. He reminded us that the faith must be made relevant through acts of compassion—not through empty internal debates. In a time of political polarization and even radicalization, he courageously took prophetic stands—especially on immigration—that, like Christ’s, were often met with criticism.
His views on the environment and education were visionary, bold, and inspiring, and they will continue to shape the culture of the Church for generations. He had a remarkable gift for making profound truths accessible, and his vision of God was one of radical tenderness and mercy.
One moment that captures his papacy best came in 2018, when he visited a parish in Rome. A young boy named Emanuele was too overcome with grief to ask his question aloud, so the Pope invited him to whisper it in his ear. The boy asked if his recently deceased father, a non-believer, could go to heaven.
Pope Francis then turned to the congregation and asked, “Do you think that God would discard the good father of this boy because he was a non-believer?” At first, there was silence. Then, with his encouragement, came a resounding “No!”
The Pope turned to Emanuele and said, “Talk to your dad, because of course he is in Heaven.”
~ Fr. Patrick Beretta, Chair of the Carroll College Board of Trustees
On a personal note, I am profoundly grateful for the extraordinary privilege that my wife Victoria and I had to meet His Holiness in May 2024. Alongside thirteen other Catholic college presidents and their spouses, we were blessed to have a private audience with Pope Francis. During that meeting, he spoke with warmth and conviction about the vital role of Catholic higher education in today’s world. I was especially honored when he encouraged other Catholic colleges and universities around the globe to emulate Carroll College’s commitment to our Global Student Refugee Initiative, recognizing our shared mission to serve those displaced by conflict and hardship.
As we mourn the loss of Pope Francis, I invite all members of the Carroll College community to join me in praying for the repose of his soul. Let us honor his memory by continuing to foster a campus rooted in compassion, service, and a deep concern for the most vulnerable among us. In the days ahead, we will provide updates regarding campus Masses that will be offered to honor the life and legacy of Pope Francis.
May the infinite merciful love of God welcome Pope Francis into eternal peace, and may his example continue to guide and inspire us.
In faith and unity,
John E. Cech, Ph.D.
President
Carroll College