Gratitude for the Pontificate of Pope Francis

Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis was a sign of hope, humility, and merciful love for the entire Church. With his attentive gaze toward the poor, his constant call for peace and fraternity, and his life rooted in the Gospel, he taught us—through words and concrete gestures—that love is the essence of the Christian life: a love that is expressed in service, compassion, and presence alongside those who suffer the most.

A Pontificate of Closeness and Tenderness
Since his election on March 13, 2013, Pope Francis won our hearts with his simplicity and closeness. He taught us that tenderness is a transformative strength and that the Gospel must be lived with joy and coherence. His example inspired us to be a Church that goes forth, missionary, sensitive to the world's suffering, and committed to justice and peace.

Encounters with the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Over the years, we have been blessed with special moments with the Holy Father that have marked the history of our Congregation:

• During audiences and celebrations at the Vatican, we received his words of encouragement for our mission and consecrated life.
• On the occasion of the beatification of Mother Clelia Merloni, our beloved Foundress, in 2018, Pope Francis remembered her with affection and admiration. He said: "Mother Clelia Merloni, Foundress of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a woman totally surrendered to God's will, zealous in charity, patient in adversity, and heroic in forgiveness. We thank God for the luminous Gospel witness of the new Blessed and follow her example of kindness and mercy."
• In 2022, during the General Chapter, Pope Francis sent a special message to the Congregation, stating that "we are specialists in entrusting to God the wounds and thorns of humanity and the Church," and adding: "the most painful wounds can be healed if immersed in the well of infinite Mercy that is the Heart of Jesus."

The words of the Holy Father have always moved us to reflect on how we live the dimension of reparation, which is intrinsic to the spirituality of the Heart of Jesus and our Charism—deeply lived by Mother Clelia in her apostolic life. Reflecting on the teachings of Pope Francis’ pontificate, we recognize that his magisterium was a gift to the Church and especially meaningful for us Apostles, as it led us deeply into the mystery of reparation. We especially highlight his exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, which clearly speaks of the many forms of human poverty, and the encyclical Laudato si', which calls us to repair the damage done to the environment.

A Church with the Heart of Christ
Pope Francis always showed deep appreciation for the spirituality of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In 2024, he published the encyclical Dilexit nos (He Loved Us), dedicated to the human and divine love of the Heart of Jesus. In this encyclical, the Pope invites the faithful to renew their authentic devotion, reminding us that in the Heart of Christ "we find the whole Gospel" and that "we finally recognize ourselves and learn how to love." These words reinforce the importance of the spirituality that is central to the charism of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, strengthening our mission even more.

With gratitude, we recognize that Pope Francis was a true Apostle of the Heart of Jesus: welcoming, close, prayerful, and committed to the most vulnerable. He inspired us to live our charism with authenticity, placing the Heart of Jesus at the center of our lives and actions.

Our Prayer and Gratitude
United in prayer, we thank Pope Francis for his generous dedication to the Church and for his witness of living faith. We ask the Lord to welcome him in His infinite mercy and grant him eternal rest. May Mary, Mother of the Church, accompany him in the glory of Heaven.

With hearts full of gratitude, we reaffirm our communion with Pope Francis and with the whole Church, desiring to be, as he taught us, bearers of hope and mercy in today’s world.

Rest in Peace, dear Shepherd!