CNBNews

The statement below is by Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. on behalf of the Board of Commissioners regarding the death of Pope Francis

The Board of Commissioners is deeply saddened to learn that Pope Francis passed away on Monday morning at the age of 88. Pope Francis entered the role in 2013 and became the first Latin American pontiff in history. He soon became known for his humility and his undying devotion to lifting up the poor and disenfranchised, and advocating for important causes such as climate change and public health.

Pope Francis reimagined what the Catholic Church could be and broke from the status quo of those who held the position before him. Almost instantly, he became known for his outspoken progressive views, which endeared some and worried others. But, despite the critics, Pope Francis remained true to his beliefs and advocated for a more just and equitable world for all. 

His legacy will be one of compassion and empathy and some notable moments in his 13-year tenure include his official approval for priests to bless same-sex couples, revising the law when it came to the sexual abuse of children by clergy, his call for people to get vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic and his criticism of the first Trump Administration for their policies involving immigrants. 

Pope Francis was a visionary, he was a person who didn’t abide by the rules set before him in order to create a more progressive and welcoming environment. Pope Francis understood the importance of giving a voice to the voiceless and championing those who are cast aside in our societies. It is especially important that right now, in this tumultuous political climate, that we remember the empathic and loving approach taken by Pope Francis and model that for our own communities.