The legacy of Pope Francis: Letters to the Editor April 24, 2025

The Issue: The passing of Pope Francis on Monday at age 88 after a battle with pneumonia.As a Muslim, I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis (“Holy Father ‘returns to the Lord,’ ” April 22).Growing up, I attended a Catholic primary school.Those formative years gave me an invaluable insight into the values common across all faiths — those of compassion, charity, humility and service to others.Pope Francis embodied those principles.

Throughout his papacy, he consistently demonstrated immense sympathy for those suffering under the heavy weight of warfare, persecution and injustice.He used his platform to advocate for the poor and marginalized and to build bridges across religious divides.May the Catholic Church soon find a new leader who will continue to uphold Pope Francis’ remarkable legacy.Malik Fraz AhmadBradford, UKIt is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Pope Francis.Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time.As the pope, he was a loving pastor and challenging teacher who reached out to different faiths.

He advocated for the voiceless and powerless.He made all feel welcome and seen by the Church.He was the “People’s Pope” — a light of faith, hope and love.Paul BaconHallandale Beach, Fla.Despite doctors’ repeated entreaties not to be engaging with large crowds, His Holiness visited a prison last Thursday, then was driven into the throngs of thousands of religious pilgrims throughout St.

Peter’s Square Sunday afternoon.Not only the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics, His Holiness was humanity’s spiritual liaison to God and Jesus Christ in life and remains so in death.This gentle yet frail man, advanced in years and a victim of chronic illness, possessed both the spirit and will to live through one last Easter’s celebration.And now, having left earthly bounds of mankind, he’s going home to be with and sit alongside both God and Jesus Christ in...