It was the middle of finals week and Fernanda Romero, one of only a handful of Catholic students at BYU, was spending Easter Sunday at Mass to pray for Pope Francis.
The pope, who had been hospitalized with pneumonia for several weeks, passed away of a stroke and cardiac arrest less than 24 hours later.
Pope Francis had a powerful impact on young adults like Romero.
“He was the first pope where I really understood his role as a leader,” Romero said.
Originally from El Salvador, Romero could relate to his Latin American heritage from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Her connection to the pope extended far beyond geography. Romero explained that Pope Francis was known for connecting to the church’s youth, inviting them to participate and “hacer lío” (make noise).
The pope’s outreach didn’t stop at the youth. Javier De Los Reyes, another Catholic student, called the pope a “uniter,” someone who seeks to bring people of all different communities together.
These invitations for unity were also extended to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There has been an increasingly robust partnership between The Church of Jesus Christ and Catholics.
In 2019, President Russel M. Nelson met face to face with the Pope, the first meeting of its kind in history. At the start of his papacy, His Holiness also shook hands with President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency at a three day colloquium on marriage at the Vacatan.
Romero, Reyes and other Catholic students on campus reflect the pope’s example of interfaith relations by keeping an open mind regarding others’ beliefs. BYU art history professor, Elliott Wise, believes members of the church at BYU can do the same.
“I think it’s a duty of members of the restored church to seek out and cherish truth and beauty,” Wise said. “Catholicism has an enormous amount.”
Reyes also spoke to the importance of interfaith connections and mutual learning.
“Anyone can learn from [the pope] even if you’re LDS, Protestant, Muslim or anyone,” Reyes said.
Professor Wise called the office of pope a “major world leader in a moral way.” This is illustrated in the pope’s public statements, such as calls for peace in Gaza and Ukraine.
Though he hasn’t held political power for centuries, such messages still send ripple effects through the international community and influence decisions. This moral authority gives him a role as a peacemaker and representative of the Savior for millions.
As the conclave approaches and a new pope is elected, Professor Wise said, “we should care enormously about what’s happening there.”
He closed with an invitation for BYU students.
“I hope that we would look to the Pope not only as an ally, but someone who we should pray for and help in that heavy, heavy responsibility,” Professor Wise said.
On May 7, the conclave will commence and a new Pope will be chosen. Every cardinal under 80 years of age will gather to deliberate, and a two-thirds majority will decide who fills the mantle.
Whatever the outcome, the students and professors are optimistic that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Catholic Church will continue working together for a better, holier world.