IMPELMAN: Pope Francis’ final message to young people: Pilgrims of hope

It was only last month that we watched Pope Francis on Easter Sunday morning give his blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and then come down to the square to greet the large crowds gathered for the Easter Mass. Riding in the open-top popemobile and greeting the faithful on that Sunday morning, we did not realize that this would be the very last time we would see him. 

Despite his significant health struggles of the previous month, Pope Francis wanted to be near his flock. The next day, on Easter Monday, we learned that it turned out that this appearance in St. Peter’s Square was his final farewell to the world.

At Pope Francis’ funeral Mass, Giovanni Cardinal Re shared this message during the homily: “Despite his frailty and suffering towards the end, Pope Francis chose to follow this path of self-giving until the last day of his earthly life. He followed in the footsteps of his Lord, the Good Shepherd, who loved His sheep to the point of giving His life for them. And he did so with strength and serenity, close to his flock, the Church of God, mindful of the words of Jesus quoted by the Apostle Paul: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).”
For the last 12 years, Pope Francis has tried his best to follow in Jesus’ footsteps by bringing the Church to the whole world. 

As Cardinal Re proclaimed during the homily, “He was a pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone. … The guiding thread of his mission was also the conviction that the Church is a home for all, a home with its doors always open.” Throughout Pope Francis’ life, this embracing message of welcome was especially directed towards young people. As a campus minister at the Rice University Catholic Student Center, I was always encouraged by Pope Francis’ outreach to young adults. 

This May 11, the Church celebrated the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, and Pope Francis had released a special message months in advance for this occasion. These words are especially poignant as we reflect on them after his death:

“Nowadays, many young people feel dismayed as they look to the future. Often, they experience insecurity about their prospects of employment and a profound identity crisis, a crisis of meaning and values, which the confused messages of the digital world only aggravate. The unjust treatment of the poor and vulnerable, the indifference of a complacent and self-centered society, and the brutality of war all threaten the hopes for a fulfilling life that young people cherish in their hearts. Yet the Lord, who knows the human heart, does not abandon us in our uncertainty. He wants us to know that we are loved, called and sent as pilgrims of hope.”

In this message written to young people, Pope Francis encouraged them to consider how God is calling them to live out their lives in love and service as witnesses to Christ’s love. 
He shared these words: “Dear young friends, hope in God does not disappoint because, at every step of the way, he accompanies those who entrust their lives to Him. Our world needs young people who are pilgrims of hope, who courageously devote their lives to Christ and rejoice in being His disciples and missionaries.”

In his words and in his actions, Pope Francis modeled for us how to share the joy of the Gospel. Thank you, Pope Francis, for having been such a pilgrim of hope in a world that so desperately needs one! The Church will miss you dearly. 
Pope Francis, please pray for us! †

Mary Impelman is a campus minister at the Rice University Catholic Student Center.