“Tutti! Tutti!” — meaning “this is for everyone” — beautifully captures the spirit that marked Pope Francis’s papacy: a call to shared humanity, transcending divisions, and committing to the respect of human dignity and the common good.
I vividly remember the moment of his election. A colleague rushed up to me in the hallway during the papal conclave, eyes filled with tears, and said, “There’s white smoke — we have a new Holy Father!” We high-fived, overcome with joy, both of us moved to tears. Shortly after, we watched Pope Francis step onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time. From that very moment, I was drawn to his charismatic and humble spirit. From the beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis invited the world into deeper dialogue and a commitment to accompany the most vulnerable among us.
Pope Francis ... believed that teaching
was not merely the transmission of knowledge, but the formation of the whole person – helping students to discover their purpose, dignity and values.
Pope Francis held profound respect and admiration for teachers. He believed that teaching was not merely the transmission of knowledge, but the formation of the whole person — helping students to discover their purpose, dignity and values. Pope Francis noted that good teachers work not only with their students’ minds, but also with their hearts. For Francis, teaching was a true mission, requiring patience, creativity and a deep love for young people. In a world often marked by division, he saw teachers as builders of peace and unity, regularly expressing gratitude for their unseen efforts and acknowledging the unique challenges they face.
I had the blessing of traveling to Kraków, Poland for World Youth Day 2016, where I witnessed Pope Francis speak directly to the youth. It was an unforgettable sight: 2.5 million children, teens and young adults gathered in complete, profound silence, hanging on his every word. Young people from every corner of the globe yearned for his message of hope and encouragement, and he met them with sincerity, wisdom and warmth.
Pope Francis’s influence on education, including in Alberta, has been profound.
1. Listening: The papal visit to Canada marked a significant milestone in the journey toward truth and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Pope Francis taught the world that true listening means opening the heart — setting aside distractions and truly hearing the voices of others, especially the wounded. During the Indigenous delegation to Rome and throughout his visit to Canada, Pope Francis did not merely hear testimonies; he listened deeply to understand the pain caused by residential schools and their lasting impact today. “Listening is more than hearing. It is an openness of heart which makes possible that closeness without which genuine spiritual encounter cannot occur.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 171)
2. Caring for creation: In his encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis called the world to environmental stewardship grounded in faith. He inspired young people everywhere to protect creation through eco-projects, sustainability efforts and renewed gratitude for the gifts of nature, reminding us that caring for the Earth is a sacred responsibility.
3. Dialogue and accompaniment: Pope Francis challenged the Church to “go out” — to meet people where they are, practice empathy and accompany others with solidarity, especially the forgotten and marginalized. “Accompaniment teaches us to walk at the pace of the weakest, like good shepherds who smell like their sheep.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 169)
4. Humility: In a world obsessed with wealth, fame and power, Pope Francis modelled a life of humility and simplicity. From his decision to ride the bus with fellow cardinals to the Vatican every day, to living in the Santa Marta guesthouse rather than the Apostolic Palace, to his request for a simple wooden casket and burial at St. Mary Major, Francis consistently lived out a powerful witness of humility, service and solidarity with the poor.
5. Joy and hope: Pope Francis taught young people — and all of us — that holiness is not about perfection, but about love, authenticity and joy. Through his declarations of the Jubilee of Mercy (2015) and the Jubilee of Hope (2025), he called the Church to live with renewed energy, trust in God’s mercy and courageous hope. “Make a ruckus! Don’t settle for a mediocre life. Dream big!” (World Youth Day, 2016)
Pope Francis’s legacy will be remembered for its heart: a heart that listens, a heart that serves, and a heart that embraces the whole world — tutti, tutti — as brothers and sisters. In a world that often feels fractured and weary, Pope Francis reminded us that true greatness is found in humility, in tenderness and in the relentless pursuit of love. ❚
Catholic Education Curriculum and Resources Coordinator, Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta
Stacey MacNeil-Ayeh holds a bachelor of arts in political science, a bachelor of education specializing in Indigenous Education and a master’s in religious education. She has worked in Catholic education in Alberta for two decades and currently serves as the director of the Religious Education Network and Catholic Resource Development with the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta (CCSSA). Prior to this, she was employed with Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools in Okotoks, where she primarily taught religious studies at the junior high level.
