Pope Francis Is Gone, but He Lives On in Our Hearts
By Ms. Teresia Muia
“The fragrance of good deeds lingers long after the hands are gone.” These words ring true as the Roman Catholic Church and the world mourn the passing of Pope Francis. Though he has departed from this earthly life, his legacy continues to bloom in the hearts of many especially through the hope he spread, the peace he preached, and his tireless advocacy for our common home and the marginalized.
His prophetic voice, especially through the encyclical Laudato Si’, awakened the world to the urgent need for environmental care, justice, and unity. Pope Francis called for a global conversion; to see the Earth as a gift to be protected and to hear the cry of the poor as our own. His message transcended religious boundaries, earning praise from scientists, environmentalists, and global leaders alike. The United Nations, and figures such as former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, welcomed his words as a moral force in the fight against climate change.
Here in Kenya, his vision lives on through the work of Jesuit apostolates like the Loyola Centre for Media and Communications (LCMC). Inspired by Laudato Si’, we’ve embraced projects that give children a voice in environmental stewardship like planting trees, learning to protect water sources, and understanding their role as caretakers of creation.
I recall a moment that deeply touched me during one of our school visits. A child, unaware of the full story behind our environmental project, turned to us and said, “Thank you LCMC for bringing the letter from the Pope about caring for the environment, tell him we appreciate.” Though innocent and slightly mistaken, his words reflected the depth of Pope Francis’ reach, even to the hearts of children in remote corners of the world.
But the Pope’s message extended beyond the care for the earth. He was a champion for justice, especially for those silenced by social injustices. Through our work in Samburu County, LCMC has embraced his spirit by empowering children to speak against harmful practices like FGM, early marriages, and Moranism. “Our response to injustice and exploitation must be more than mere condemnation. First and foremost, it must be the active promotion of the good: denouncing evil and promoting the good,” Pope Francis told the Vatican News on Oct. 2021.
That is the path we follow as LCMC. Through creative storytelling, education, and gentle empowerment, we teach children in the Northern Kenya to value their dignity and rise above silence.
Pope Francis may have left this world, but his legacy rooted in love for creation and humanity lives on. May we carry his vision forward with courage and tenderness?
Rest in peace, Papa. Your light shines on.
