Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, in his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta. The Congregation of the Holy Spirit Generalate released a statement, saying, in part:

On behalf of the Superior General and the entire Congregation, we extend our deepest condolences upon the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis. His unwavering dedication to the mission of Christ, his profound wisdom, and his tireless service as the universal shepherd of the Church have left an indelible mark on the faithful across the world. 

We are profoundly grateful for his exemplary leadership, his boundless compassion, and his steadfast commitment to fostering unity and peace among nations. His life was a testament to humility and unwavering faith, and his teachings will continue to inspire generations to come.

In this time of mourning, we unite in prayer with the Church and all those who grieve his passing, entrusting him to the loving embrace of our merciful God. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy continue to guide and illuminate the path of the faithful.

In 2023, the Spiritans were granted a Papal Audience for the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the fusion of the Congregation. His beautiful remarks for the Congregation will be long remembered by those who heard or read them, including two of our U.S. Lay Spiritans. 

During World Youth Day in 2024, many Spiritans and students of Spiritan schools were inspired by Pope Francis's message that the church is for everyone and that each of them was "called by name."

These are just two recent memories of the impact of Pope Francis on the U.S. Spiritan community. We are grateful for his leadership and faithfulness over the Church in the last 17 years.