Fides Entrepreneurship: In Memory of Pope Francis.

A sad and sacred moment marks this week with what happened on Sunday night. A unique era in our lives has come to an end.

For many, Pope Francis was a leader. For others, there was the belief that he could have done more.

For me, he was pivotal.

When I was in middle school, I had the opportunity to attend Mass with him at Madison Square Garden. I waited eight hours to enter, at first thinking he was just a name—perhaps even a nobody. I thought I had wasted my time. But by the end of the Mass, I left in tears. I realized I had just encountered a saint living in our world.

And I’m not alone in feeling that.

Some of our speakers at Fides have shared how deeply Pope Francis touched their lives and inspired them to act:

Mike Espiritu, November 23rd, 2024 -

I'm very inspired in the way I give by Pope Francis. From helping with raising funds for an orphanage in Egypt, to founding the White Cross Ball and raising more then 1 million dollars in funds, he is an inspiration for what I do!”

Daniel Catone, January 23rd, 2025 -

“Most catholics have no idea that this is happening right now with Pope Francis.

He has been a huge leader in helping catholics invest. Helping the Vatican invest.

He’s the first pope in church history that has applied church social teaching to the investments of the Vatican.”

Massimo Lobuglio, April 10th, 2025 -

“Pope Francis's Laudato Si really showed me that the church doesn’t need to be split politically but is meant to be all encompassing on both sides of the political sphere and that was a big part in me realizing that I should start working on Catholic Art (Art for Laudato Si), such as through the mural we painted at the Saint Theresa Mural in Costa Rica dedicated to Gaza.”

Hearing their words has no doubt helped you but also helped me understand Pope Francis’s legacy more deeply. Among Catholic circles, there were doubts. Some questioned whether he made the Church too political. But I’ve come to believe that each pope is chosen for his time. Even if we don’t agree with every action, their purpose becomes clearer in hindsight.

In my youth, Pope Francis changed my life. Later, I too wasn’t sure about some of his decisions. But thanks to voices like Daniel’s and Massimo’s, I’ve come to realize something more profound: The effect of a pope’s actions ripples through our lives in ways we don’t always see at first.

And in my own Christian life, I’ve learned to hold more humility—to see the good in each person’s walk with God.

You may as well find that true.

You and each one of us is growing. Each of us is on God’s time. Pope Francis’s passing reminds us of this, and that following our hearts to do good is the greatest wealth we can hold.

As Daniel Catone once said:

“Faith is wealth.”

No doubt—you and each one of us second that. And that was Pope Francis’s gift to all of us.

Let us remember him in the days to come. Let us pray for him, and be reminded that his life was a call for us to live with compassion, mercy, and courage.

Eternal Rest Grant

Unto Francis, O Lord.