Pope Francis 1936-2025: a Faithful Shepherd and Father

In 2013, the Church welcomed Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope, who embodied the profound Ignatian spirituality of accompaniment and pastoral care. Today, Easter Monday, we mourn his passing at the age of 88 within the paradox of Paschal joy and profound trust in the Resurrection. His pontificate was characterized by a compassionate and steadfast presence, open and welcoming dialogue, and, above all, mercy. This spirit of accompaniment was especially evident in his work with the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi, as he has walked alongside its members through their decade-long process of purification and renewal.

Pope Francis shepherded and accompanied the Legionaries throughout this process of renewal, initiated in 2010 under Pope Benedict XVI, aiming to discern and clearly express the renewed and authentic charism shared among all Regnum Christi members—Legionaries of Christ, the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi, the Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi, and lay members.

Message to Regnum Christi: a journey that must continue

At the end of February 2020, the Holy See published a message from Pope Francis to the Regnum Christi Federation, particularly the participants in the General Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ and the General Assemblies of the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi and the Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi.

In his address, Pope Francis recalled that walking hand in hand with the Church, Regnum Christi had traveled a path leading to a real “change of mentality,” which had been reflected in the new Constitutions and Statutes, which he called “truly new” because they reflect a new spirit and a vision consistent with the Second Vatican Council, the result of the work of all members from all four of the Regnum Christi vocations. “It was an event that brought about a real conversion of heart and mind,” said Pope Francis. “This was possible because you have been docile to the help and support that the Church has offered you, having realized the real need for a renewal that would bring you out of the self-referentiality in which you had been enclosed. You opened yourselves with courage to the action of the Holy Spirit, thus entering the path of true discernment.”

These words of Pope Francis and his constant accompaniment along the path of discernment and renewal confirmed the steps taken by all members of Regnum Christi to strengthen their desire to address with courage and humility the errors of the past and to walk in truth in order to make the kingdom of Christ present.

As Regnum Christi continued to  mature in its identity and discern its mission in the world during the 2024 General Chapter, he again wrote a letter to the Federation, sharing his prayer that “the light of the Holy Spirit helps you discern, in fidelity to the Gospel and the magisterium of the Church, how to make the mystery of Christ present in our days, in accordance with the vocation to which each of you has been called.”

A Good Shepherd and a guiding light

General Director of the Legionaries of Christ, Fr. John Connor, LC, reflects on Pope Francis’ leadership and the profound impact he had on the spiritual journey of Regnum Christi throughout the renewal:

“Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis was a guiding light for the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi. His unwavering commitment to renewal and deep pastoral care shepherded us through what have been significant times of transformation for us. The Holy Father’s emphasis on mercy, humility, and missionary discipleship inspired us to deepen our relationship with Christ and serve with greater fervor. One significant example of his impact is the establishment of the Regnum Christi Federation, officially recognized by the Holy See under his guidance. This recognition reaffirmed our path and strengthened our commitment to live our charism with confidence and courage. For this we are profoundly grateful.”

Félix Gómez Rueda, who serves as the general director of the Lay Consecrated Men, witnessed first-hand Pope Francis’ pastoral guidance during these years:

“Pope Francis’ presence with Regnum Christi, and for me in particular, has marked these nascent years of our society of apostolic life and renewal of the entire spiritual family. In relation to government, there are two strong ideas that he had insisted on from the beginning: 1) to govern is to serve, and 2) our relationship to the people we govern must be like that of the Good Shepherd. He said it during his homily at the inauguration of his pontificate: ‘Let us never forget that true power is service.’ And he repeated it in his letter to Cardinal Ouellet of March 2016: ‘We have been called to serve them and not to be served by them.’ Pope Francis has made me see that my relationship with everyone must be in the style of the true Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ: to govern means to be close to the people with mercy and tenderness. It means to protect and guide. It also means, on many occasions, to carry the weight of those who cannot walk (cf. Mk 2:1-5).”

Francisco Gamez Arcaya is a lay Regnum Christi member who served on the General Directive College during the early years of the renewal, and is profoundly grateful for Pope Francis’ trust and confidence during this challenging period:

“In 2013, during the Holy See’s intervention in Regnum Christi led by Cardinal De Paolis, the Pontifical Delegate, the change in popes was a time of great stress and uncertainty. However, Pope Francis emerged as a kind and strong shepherd for all of us. His reassurance and unwavering support from the very beginning of his pontificate until the end provided us with the light and strength needed to move forward in this continued process. His presence and guidance served as a beacon of hope as we navigated through difficult times, always accompanied by the Lord’s grace.”

Nancy Nohrden, general director of the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi, shares:

“Pope Francis has shepherded the holy Catholic Church for the past 12 years, giving his life and health to serve as our shepherd and guide us in the ways of the Spirit. Personally, I will always be deeply grateful for his courageous openness and encouraging us to truly meet every person where they are at in their lives with the merciful love of Jesus Christ… This is indeed the Gospel message. I believe he leaves the Church with a revolutionary legacy of openness to the Holy Spirit, discernment of the signs of the times, and encouraging us to be built up as the Body of Christ through the voice of each one of its members.”

Creation of the first Legionary Cardinal

In August of 2022 in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis presided over the Ordinary Public Consistory for the creation of 20 new cardinals, and among that list was Msgr. Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, LC, the first Legionary of Christ created Cardinal. Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga carried out his work in the Roman Curia as president of the Governorate of the Vatican City State and president of the Pontifical Commission for that state until March 1, 2025. He continues to  be a member of the council of cardinals.

Pope Francis also elevated Fr. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, SJ, as a new cardinal. Cardinal Ghirlanda’s close accompaniment of Regnum Christi spanned almost a decade, beginning with his assistance to the Legionaries of Christ as an advisor to Cardinal De Paolis in 2010 under the direction of Pope Benedict XVI. His work was expanded to include becoming an advisor and accompanier to the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi, the Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi, and all members of what would become the Regnum Christi Federation during the renewal process. His counsel, assistance, and tireless encouragement were indispensable in the work leading up to the creation of the Federation and its new Statutes in 2019.

Continuing the path of renewal

In a letter addressed to Fr. John Connor, LC, on the occasion of the First General Convention of the Regnum Christi Federation, which took place April 29–May 4, 2024, Pope Francis encouraged the members of Regnum Christi to continue along the path of renewal. “I hope that this new statute will support your aspiration to always be true apostles, without forgetting the importance of continuing to ‘be constantly renewed in the image of your Creator’ (cf. Col 3:10).”

On February 2, 2025, Regnum Christi announced that it had received definitive approval for  the Statutes of the Regnum Christi Federation from the Holy See, through the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, stating, “The members of Regnum Christi are grateful for the close accompaniment of Pope Francis throughout the most difficult and purifying stages of its renewal and look forward with hope, as Pope Francis exhorted, to “continue the path of renewal, reaping and strengthening the fruits matured in these years.”

Holy Father Pope Francis, we entrust your soul to the tender intercession of our Holy Mother, Mary, to whom you always gave us an example of true filial devotion.

In the experience of loss and sorrow, let us keep the Risen Christ present before our hearts… “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it, Hallelujah!”