Obituary for Pope Francis

A heart for young people

For 12 years, his pontificate shaped the Church with a new culture of closeness, simplicity, and listening. He opened doors to the margins of society, to the questions of young people, and to the hearts of the faithful. In particular, the youth stood at the center of his pastoral vision. He repeatedly emphasized their potential to be bearers of hope for a Church on the move. “Filled with the love of Christ, young people are called to be witnesses of the Gospel wherever they find themselves, by the way they live.” (CV, 175) For Pope Francis, this vocation was a mission: proclaiming the Faith to the younger generation was, for him, a key to renewing the Church.

“Being an apostle does not mean carrying a torch in hand, possessing the light, but being that light… “ (CV, 175). In his speech in November 2024, he gave the young people two tasks: “By ‘networking’, but also by making noise. This is very important. In this task – of ‘networking’ and ‘making noise’ – I invite you to be a voice for everyone, especially for those who have no voice.”

A shepherd close to his flock and a missionary full of joy

Anyone who met Pope Francis – whether in St Peter’s Square , on his numerous travels, or through his words – could feel his attentiveness. His eyes always looked straight into the heart of the person before him:
“The Church must look more closely and sympathetically at others whenever necessary.” (EG, 169) He called on us all to allow ourselves to be touched – by the needs of others, by the longing for meaning, by the love of God. His tender gestures of love and closeness went hand in hand with a burning fire for the spreading of the Gospel. “Joy is missionary!” – These words of his remain both a memory and a lasting challenge. Pope Francis was a proclaimer of the joy that grows from faith – from the encounter with Jesus and the hope of mercy. Love and truth, joy and humility, tenderness and determination – these were qualities that came together in a unique way in his person. They lent his proclamation credibility and depth. And they inspired us not only to know and share the Faith, but even more to love it and live it.

His legacy remains alive

We at the YOUCAT Foundation look back on the moving forewords the Pope wrote for our books. Time and again, he encouraged young people to rediscover the treasure of faith – and to carry it into the world with courage. For YOUCAT, Pope Francis has given us a very personal foreword: a passionate appeal to young people to read the Catechism and to bring the faith to life. His final contribution to the new publication YOUCAT Love Forever touches us deeply. It feels like a legacy – a spiritual testament to the young Church. It feels like a legacy – a spiritual testament to the young Church. Pope Francis was a man of great dreams: of a Church that goes forth, that listens, that loves. With the Y-Bibel, the DOCAT, the YOUCAT for Kids, the new edition of the YOUCAT, and soon with “Love Forever”, we are privileged to help make this dream thatmore real.

Dear Pope Francis

may the Lord Jesus,
our divine Master and Friend,
now grant you eternal rest.
May the eternal light shine upon you.

Lord, let him rest in your peace.
Amen.