A Memorial Mass was held on Friday, 25 April 2025, at Bethlehem University in honor of His Holiness Pope Francis. The University community gathered in the Chapel of the Divine Child to pray for his soul and reflect on his legacy of compassion, justice, and peace.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis called all people to live with mercy, humility, and solidarity. He held a special place in his heart for the people of Palestine and the students of Bethlehem University. In a 2024 Advent message to our campus, he encouraged our students to foster friendship and never to walk alone. Earlier this year, our students wrote to him in gratitude and prayer during his illness.
In his final public message on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis once again raised his voice for the people of our land, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and expressing his “closeness to the sufferings” of all in the Holy Land. His courage and compassion remain a prophetic light for us all.
