Written by: Charles W. Dahm, O.P.  Chairman of the Board of The Resurrection Project


CHICAGO, IL – April 21, 2025 – The unexpected death of Pope Francis has saddened millions across the globe. The Pope was a champion of the poor and marginalized who worked to open the Catholic Church to everyone.

His death the day after Easter, the feast of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, was significant for many. He followed Jesus into eternal life after fulfilling his desire to celebrate Holy Week.

Last Thursday, Pope Francis made his traditional visit to prisoners to encourage them not to lose hope, reminding them that they, too, are loved by God. He attended all of the Holy Week services, although he was unable to preside over them. During the Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square, he addressed the enormous crowd and blessed them as he passed by in the popemobile.

Pope Francis leaves behind a significant legacy. He reinforced the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and shifted the Church’s focus towards mercy and compassion for the suffering and destitute. He authored a book about mercy and dedicated a year to its celebration. He has been a strong advocate for refugees and migrants, visiting them and welcoming them to the Vatican. Recently, he wrote to every bishop in the United States, encouraging them to speak out against and resist mass deportations of immigrants.

Pope Francis has been a strong advocate for the protection of Mother Earth. He has written extensively about climate change and was close to completing another book focused on the importance of respecting and preserving our planet. Additionally, he has done more for marginalized communities than any recent pope, particularly by welcoming LGBTQ individuals into the Church and emphasizing the need for the Church to actively include people with disabilities. He envisions the Church as a “field hospital” dedicated to caring for those most in need.

Perhaps Pope Francis’ most significant legacy was his founding and promotion of the “synodal process,” a global initiative aimed at involving the grassroots in discussions about the needs of the Church and the world. He sought to dismantle clericalism and encourage broader participation from everyone within the Catholic Church. As he famously stated, “The clergy need to be shepherds who smell like the sheep.” He left behind plans for the future direction of this process, reflecting his deep commitment to renewing the Church, a task dear to his heart.

Let us pray for Pope Francis and ask him to pray for us. We thank him for his vision and all his efforts to make the Church more like Jesus Christ in the world today. We thank God for him. May the Cardinals who will now gather in conclave elect someone who will carry forward the directives of our beloved Pope Francis.

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About The Resurrection Project

The Resurrection Project (TRP) builds trusting relationships to educate and propel individuals, immigrants, and families to achieve their social and economic aspirations, stable homes, and equitable participation in their community. TRP is a leading provider of affordable housing, financial education, and immigration services on Chicago’s Southwest side.

During the past three decades TRP has worked to improve the lives of individuals and families by creating wealth, building assets, and engaging residents to be catalysts for change. Rooted in the Pilsen community, TRP’s impact now extends across the City of Chicago and through the State of Illinois; we are making steady progress towards leveraging and preserving more than $1 billion in community wealth in 2025.