Wirch Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis

One of the most significant public figures in our time, Pope Francis, passed away early this week, a day after celebrating Easter at the Vatican. Leader of the Catholic Church for 12 years, Francis took a unique approach to the papacy, using his position and voice to advocate for those on the margins of society all over the globe. The 266th Pope would consistently preach on the importance of helping the needy and the inherent dignity of every person. This message is relevant to all of us, whether we are people of faith or not. Respecting one another is not an issue of faith, nationality, or partisanship. It is simply a matter of treating each other in a way that we would like to be treated, and no one exemplified this better than Pope Francis.