As a Felician community rooted in faith and service, we pause in prayerful remembrance of Pope Francis, whose life and papacy profoundly shaped the Church and our world. At the same time, we look ahead with open hearts to welcome Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected bishop of Rome and shepherd of the global Catholic Church.
Elected in 2013, Pope Francis brought a deeply pastoral and prophetic spirit to the papacy. His humble leadership, consistent call for mercy and courageous witness for the poor, the vulnerable and the planet inspired millions. Through encyclicals such as Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti, he called the Church to ecological conversion, global solidarity and a renewed commitment to Gospel-centered living.
For the Felician Sisters of North America and all those connected to our mission, his words were more than teachings—they were invitations to action. His life echoed our call to live as joyful witnesses of God’s love, in compassionate service to others. His emphasis on “a Church that goes forth” affirmed our own commitment to being present at the margins, where hope and healing are most needed.
With hearts full of gratitude, we now commend Pope Francis to the loving arms of God. His legacy endures—in the people he touched, the justice he preached and the mercy he lived.
Honoring Pope Francis’ Legacy Through Prayer and Action
That legacy is finding new life in the next generation. On October 6, St. Joseph Basilica in Webster hosted the commissioning of the “Little Missionaries of Pope Francis’ Legacy,” founded by Sr. Jeanne Marie Akalski. Inspired by the bond her fifth-grade students formed with Pope Francis through letters, illustrations and cards during his illness, the children transformed their grief after his passing into a mission of prayer, compassion and hope.
“Our mission is simple yet powerful,” Sr. Jeanne Marie explains. “We want our children to know they can make a difference in small ways—especially through prayer.” Petitions, called Letters to Heaven, will be mailed or dropped off at St. Joseph School, where the children will pray over them daily and include them in a monthly service. In November, all intentions will be sent to Pope Leo to be placed at Pope Francis’ tomb, with the hope that miracles may come through his intercession. “The prayers of little children may be the seeds of miracles and perhaps even a step toward Pope Francis’s canonization,” she added.
Welcoming Pope Leo XIV: A New Chapter in the Church
At this sacred moment of transition, we joyfully welcome Pope Leo XIV, trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Known for his contemplative spirit, pastoral presence and multilingual fluency, Pope Leo has already shown signs of a papacy deeply rooted in encounter, simplicity and joyful witness. His recent engagement in August with over a million youth gathered in Rome for the Jubilee for Youth offered a glimpse of his authentic and spontaneous leadership.
Breaking from his usually scripted style, Pope Leo surprised young pilgrims with an impromptu address delivered in English, Spanish and Italian—proclaiming, “You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world!” His voice echoed across St. Peter’s Square, connecting deeply with the crowd and affirming a Church that listens, responds and walks alongside young people.
For the Felician Sisters in Chicago, the election of Pope Leo was a moment of joy and disbelief. Gathered in the dining room at Mother of Good Counsel Convent after seeing the white smoke, the sisters strained to hear the name of the new pope read aloud. Could it truly be Cardinal Robert Prevost—a man they had known and worked alongside? A few sisters had collaborated with him during his time as Director of Mission and Vocation Director at Providence High School in New Lenox, IL. Sr. Mary Katherine Fax even recalls being pen pals with him until he departed for missionary service in Peru in 1985. “He was always a humble, kind and compassionate man,” she remembers. For them, the election of Pope Leo XIV is not only the Church’s joy, but a personal one, as they now see a familiar face elevated to shepherd of the global Church.
In his messages, Pope Leo has already emphasized the importance of true friendships, a personal relationship with Christ and the dangers of digital culture when driven by consumerism and division. At a time when the world is scarred by war, he lifted up the voices of young people from Gaza, Ukraine and other places of suffering, saying: “You are the sign that a different world is possible—a world of fraternity and friendship, where conflicts are not resolved with weapons, but with dialogue.”
For the Felician community—sisters, associates, employees, donors and friends—Pope Leo’s early expressions of pastoral closeness, concern for the marginalized and emphasis on synodality resonate with our charism and mission. His witness reflects the compassion of Christ, the joy of the Gospel and the spirit of Blessed Mary Angela, who calls us to meet the needs of the times with unwavering trust in God.
As we give thanks for the life and witness of Pope Francis and pray for Pope Leo’s leadership, we remain steadfast in our own call: to live the Gospel with love, humility and hope.
