In Gratitude and Mourning: The Notre Dame Sisters Remember Pope Francis
For Immediate Release (April 21, 2025) – Omaha, NE — With heavy hearts and deep gratitude, the Notre Dame Sisters of the Omaha Province join the global Church in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. We give thanks for his tireless efforts to promote a more inclusive and compassionate Church—one that reflects the boundless mercy and love of God.
Pope Francis’s devotion to the poor, the vulnerable, and all those on the margins of society has been a powerful witness of hope in a world too often marked by division and indifference—an example we Sisters strive to embody in our own ministry.
His voice in calling the Church to embrace environmental stewardship, challenged us to recognize the sacredness of creation and the urgent need to care for our common home – an effort inseparable from caring for one another—for which we remain deeply grateful.
We honor his commitment to synodality— his example of leadership rooted in listening and dialogue. We are inspired by the way he modeled a Church that walks with its people, honors the dignity of every person, and opens its doors to renewal and shared wisdom.
We also lift in prayer all those entrusted with the sacred responsibility of electing the next Pope. May the Holy Spirit guide them and bless the Church with a leader who will continue to foster a Church of hospitality, healing, and tenderness—one that honors each person’s dignity, not by merit, but by God’s boundless love for all creation.
May Pope Francis rest in the peace, and may his legacy live on in the hearts of those he inspired and in the life of the Church he so faithfully served.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.
About The Notre Dame Sisters
We are a group of consecrated Catholic women dedicated to serving God, each other and our world. Through our service and ministries, we strive to meet the unmet needs of those in our community and throughout the world. As we continue to respond to the call of Christ as women of faith and prayer, we commit ourselves to building a world Christian community in joyful, loving service to others. We have served in Omaha for more than 100 years, mostly as educators, nurses, and social workers.