The passing of Pope Francis on Monday, Apr. 21, 2025, brought profound sorrow to Catholics around the worldand leaders of other faiths.
As the head of the global Catholic Church, renowned for his messages of peace and compassion for humanity, his departure prompted reflection and tributes across religious communities.
Religious figures extended condolences while honoring the spiritual and social legacy he left behind.
Dr. Dicky Sofjan, a lecturer in the Doctoral Program of the Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies (ICRS), Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (SPs UGM), was among the few Indonesians who met Pope Francis in mid-2024.
The meeting took place during a conference organized by the Focolare Movement, a religious social movement under the auspices of the Vatican.
“One thing that stood out to me was his compassion and openness toward communities outside of Catholicism, especially Muslims,” said Dr. Sofjan on Friday, Apr. 25, 2025, at the UGM Campus.
Pope Francis consistently demonstrated a sincere desire to build bridges between Catholic and Muslim communities.
This was evident in his visits to several Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, including Indonesia, which he visited in 2024.
Dr. Sofjan also highlighted the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Egypt, in 2019.
The document became a significant symbol of interfaith cooperation.
“To me, it was a major theological leap. Pope Francis also acknowledged that salvation is not exclusive to Catholics; people of other faiths can also attain it,” he said.
Dr. Sofjan further emphasized Pope Francis’ deep concern as a true spiritual leader.
His advocacy for the poor and oppressed, including his stance on the plight of Palestinians, left a lasting impression.
Pope Francis consistently condemned Israeli aggression and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people.
“He would regularly call Catholic leaders in Gaza during the war to check on the safety of the community there,” he recalled.
Margareta Rosemary, an alumna of the Physics Program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UGM) and a current Master’s student in Renewable Energy Systems Engineering at UGM, also expressed her sorrow over Pope Francis’ passing.
She vividly remembers his visit to Indonesia in September 2024, during which she was among tens of thousands of worshippers attending the grand mass at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, and even received a rosary directly from the Pope.
“When I heard the sad news from the Vatican, I instinctively made the sign of the cross. There is, of course, grief but also peace. In the Catholic faith, we believe that life is not ended but transformed. Death is the gateway to eternal joy with the Father in Heaven and His saints,” she said.
According to Rosemary, Pope Francis carried with him a lifelong message of peace, simplicity, and love.
He is also remembered for his concern for the planet.
One of his key intellectual legacies is the Laudato Si’ encyclical, which he described as a “love letter” to all humanity, calling on everyone to protect the integrity of creation.
The encyclical inspired many, including Rosemary, to change their lifestyle.
“I make eco-enzymes at my boarding house, cycle to campus, finish all my meals, own what I need only, and create content about the environment. It all started from the Pope’s inspiration,” she shared.
For many Catholics like Rosemary, Pope Francis was not just a spiritual leader but a role model.
His humble lifestyle was evident in his teachings and final wish for a simple burial in the ground with no ornate decoration, just the inscription Franciscus.
Once again, she said, he lived out his virtues to the very end.
“His mission in this world is complete, and now he prays for us who are still pilgrims on this earth. Thank you, Pope Francis. Your example will continue to guide us on our journey,” she concluded.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Gregorio Borgia/AP