Remembering the first Jesuit pope
On March 13, 2013, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected pope on the second day of the conclave. He became the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere and the first non-European elected in almost 1,300 years. He was also the first Jesuit pope, to the excitement of many on the Heights. Below are some of the articles, photographs, and meetings that connected Pope Francis with members of the BC community during his 12 years of service.
BC and the Papal Vision
Pope Francis - A New Way of Being Church (VIDEO): Clough School of Theology and Ministry Associate Professor of the Practice Rafael Luciani discussed “pastoral conversion” and “synodality” as the key theological categories that lay at the heart of Pope Francis’s vision of church (2019).
Pope Francis's Vision for the Church: Former Clough School dean Thomas D. Stegman, S.J., and Professor Luciani spoke to BC Magazine about the pope's goals for the future (2020).
The Future of the Priesthood: A book, edited by BC theologians, suggested reforms in seminary formation and the exercise of ordained ministry (2022).
Why A Synod On Synodality? (VIDEO): Professor Luciani and Kristin Colberg, assistant professor of theology at St. John's School of Theology, traced the origins of the synod on synodality to the reforms of Vatican II to the present (2022).
Coming Together to Move Forward: Bishops and theologians discussed the future of the U.S. Catholic Church at a conference co-sponsored by BC's Boisi Center (2022).
“The Way Forward: Pope Francis, Vatican II, and Synodality”: Catholic Church leaders, theologians, historians, and journalists convened at Boston College for a major conference (2023).
Reflecting on Pope Francis's Vision for the Church: A book with contributions from many BC faculty and alumni sought to expand the reception of the first Jesuit pope (2024).
Papal Meetings
Trading Hats with the Pope: Two BC students made the switch with the holy figure while studying in Italy (2013).
Double Eagle Welcomed Pope to Washington: Former two-time Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy '77, J.D. '80, weclomed the pope to the nation's capital during his U.S. visit (2015).
A Special Fan: Alumna Brooke Dunkley '12 made a fashion statement with Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square (2016).
(L to R): Kelly McGrath '15, Dean Stegman, and Brooke Dunkley '12 meet Pope Francis
When Jesuits meet: Dean Stegman met Pope Francis at Jesuit General Congregation 36 (2016).
Papal encounter: Alumna Kelly McGrath had the opportunity to meet the pope during the course of an internship at the Vatican one summer (2016).
In one handshake, lifelong gratitude for being Catholic: Clough School Professor Hosffman Ospino shook Pope Francis's hand in Rome (2017).
Cover story: During a visit to the Vatican, Clough School Professor Thomas Groome and Professor of the Practice of Theology Msgr. Liam Bergin presented Pope Francis with a copy of C21 Resources (2018).
Papal audience: Clough School Associate Professor of the Practice Rafael Luciani discussed CSTM initiatives with Pope Francis. (2018)
Thomas Groome and Msgr. Liam Bergin presenting Pope Francis with C21 Resources
Papal Connections
Papal appointment: Clough School student Sister Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, was appointed by Pope Francis as an undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops, the first woman to hold the position (2021). | Covered by the AP
Dominic Chai, S.J., and Sister Nathalie Becquart
Becoming a synodal Church: Sister Becquart gave an update on the Synod on Synodality a year later (2022).
The Spirit is at work. Are we paying attention?: Clough School Associate Dean Anthony Russo reflected on a pilgrimage to Rome for the opening of the Synod of Bishops (2023).
Clough School students travel to Rome for synodal pilgrimage: The group was part of a network representing 14 U.S. universities and colleges
Updates from Rome: The CSTM delegation to Rome for an immersion experience around the Synod on Synodality offered daily reflections (2024).
Papal Social Snaps
During a conference at the Pontifical French Seminary in Rome, @bcstm Professor André Brouillette, SJ, presented @Pontifex with his most recent book, a volume co-edited with @BCPhilosophy Professor Jeffrey Bloechl. pic.twitter.com/o54ryXKXsp
— Boston College (@BostonCollege) November 6, 2022
Pope Francis received first copy of the Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, a scholarly work on early Christian history, from Publisher Louise Schouten and the Editors Bert Jan Lietaert Peerbolte @VUamsterdam, David G. Hunter @BostonCollege, and Paul van Geest @erasmusuni pic.twitter.com/PDNdfz9jbL
— Religious & Biblical (@Brill_Religious) October 7, 2024
Papal Books
Pope Francis was the topic of many books authored by members of the BC community. The following titles appeared in BC Bookmarks, a blog about books written by BC faculty, staff, and alumni.
- A Church for the Poor (2018): The Church in the 21st Century Center takes a fresh look at the role of churches, and individual Christians, in relating to poverty and the poor among them.
- Amoris Laetitia: A New Momentum for Moral Formation and Pastoral Practice (2018): This book is based on a 2017 conference at BC in which Pope Francis’ family life exhortation could be applied at the local level.
- The Theology of the People (2018): Clough School Associate Professor of the Practice Rafael Luciani translated Pope Francis and the Theology of the People - originally written in Spanish - into English.
- Understanding Gaudete et Exsultate (2019): Written by author Daniel P. Horan, a BC alumnus.
- Ethics of Encounter (2020): BC alumnus Marcus Mescher presents an ethical framework for building what Pope Francis has called a “culture of encounter.”
- Guide for Fratelli Tutti (2021): Written by BC alumnus Marcus Mescher.
- Synodality (2022): Writen by Clough School of Theology and Ministry Associate Professor of the Practice Rafael Luciani.
- The Moral Vision of Pope Francis (2024): Co-edited by Joseph Professor in Catholic Theology Kristin Heyer and BC alumnus Conor Kelly with many faculty contributions.
Answering his call
Young people's voices: In response to the call of Pope Francis, Boston College Church in the 21st Century Center launched a project to collect young people’s thoughts about their faith and the future of the Catholic Church.
The Papal Legacy
After Pope Francis's death on April 21, 2025, the Boston College community reflected on the papacy of the first Jesuit pope.
Pope Francis (1936-2025): BC President William P. Leahy, S.J., issued a statement on the passing of the first Jesuit pope.
Legacy of Pope Francis: Several Boston College faculty reflected on Pope Francis' 12 years of service.
The Guiding Light of Pope Francis: BC's Church in the 21st Century Center prepared a compendium of articles related to the Holy Father's writings, drawn from the archives of C21 Resources.
Remembering Pope Francis: Clough School community members shared lessons learned that they will carry with them.
Pope Francis’s Leadership of “Small Gestures": CSTM doctoral candidate Brenda Noriega-flores shares a reflection based on four encounters she had with the pope as a young adult leader, educator, and minister.
‘Rejoice and Be Glad’: Professor of Theology Stephen Pope wrote in Commonweal about how Pope Francis taught and lived the beatitudes.
Clough School Professor Hosffman Ospino met the pope in 2017
Many Boston College faculty contributed commentary to media coverage of the pope's death, including the following:
What Happens Next
A pope's death is steeped in tradition, as is the election of a new pope. BC community members have helped to explain both:
- Theology Associate Professor Rev. James Weiss explained what happens after the pope dies in the Boston Globe.
- Editor-in-Chief Sam Sawyer, S.J., '00, M.Div.'14, described waiting in line to say goodbye to Pope Francis with pilgrims from around the world in America magazine.
- Theology Associate Professor Rev. James M. Weiss analyzes possible outcomes of conclave for 7 News.
Social Media Tributes