Remembering the first Jesuit pope

The articles, photographs, and meetings that connected Pope Francis with members of the BC community

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,. 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 Schoolof 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):ProfessorLuciani andKristin 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).

Momral Vision of Pope Francis Book Cover

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

Two BC students made the switch with the holy figure while studying in Italy(2013).

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).

Pope Francis with alumnae and Dean Stegman

(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:AlumnaKellyMcGrath had the opportunity to meet the pope during the course of an internship at the Vatican one summer(2016).

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 ofC21 Resources(2018).

Papal audience: Clough School Associate Professor of the Practice Rafael Luciani discussed CSTM initiatives with Pope Francis. (2018)

Thomas Groome and Liam Bergin with the Pope

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). |

CSTM students Dominic Chai, S.J.,  a CENTERS delegate, and Sister Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary of the Synod

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 DeanAnthony 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:TheCSTM delegation to Romefor an immersion experience around the Synod on Synodality offered daily reflections(2024).

Papal Social Snaps


Papal Books

Pope Francis was the topic of many books authored by members of the BC community. The following titles appeared inBC Bookmarks,a blog about books written by BC faculty, staff, and alumni.

  • (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.
  • (2018): This book is based on a 2017 conference at BC in which Pope Francis’ family life exhortationcould be applied at the local level.
  • (2018):Clough School Associate Professor of the Practice Rafael Luciani translatedPope Francis and the Theology of the People- originally written in Spanish - into English.
  • (2019): Written by authorDaniel P. Horan, a BC alumnus.
  • (2020):BC alumnusMarcus Mescherpresents an ethical framework for building what Pope Francis has called a “culture of encounter.”
  • (2021): Written by BC alumnus Marcus Mescher.
  • (2022): Writen by Clough School of Theology and MinistryAssociate Professor of the Practice Rafael Luciani.
  • (2024):Co-edited by Joseph Professor in Catholic TheologyKristin Heyerand BC alumnusConor Kelly with many faculty contributions.

Answering his call

Boston College Students at Mass

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 reflectionbased on four encounters she had with the pope as a young adult leader, educator, and minister.

Professor of Theology Stephen Pope wrote inCommonwealabout how Pope Francis taught and lived the beatitudes.

Pope Francis greets Hosffman Ospino, columnist for Catholic News Service and professor of theology and religious education at Boston College. Ospino writes the CNS column "Journeying Together/Caminando juntos." (CNS photo/courtesy Hosffman Ospino)

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:

  • Clough School Dean Michael McCarthy, S.J.: and
  • Clough School Professor Thomas Groome: , , and
  • Clough School Professor Hosffman Ospino:
  • Professor of Sociology Gustavo Morello, S.J.:
  • Clough School ProfessorJohn Baldovin,S.J.:
graphic of a quote

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 explainedwhat happens after the pope dies in the.
  • 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 .
  • Theology Associate Professor Rev. James M. Weiss analyzes possible outcomes of conclave for .

Social Media Tributes