Dear Members of the Fordham Family,
This is a week for celebration: not only do we have a pope, we have a Jesuit pope, and one whose work with, and concern for, the poor and disenfranchised is of a piece with Fordham’s mission and ideals. We join the Jesuit community and the worldwide body of the church in celebrating the election of Cardinal Jorge Maria Bergoglio, S.J., as Pope Francis.
On Tuesday, March 19, we will to mark the elevation of Pope Francis by celebrating Mass at noon in the University Church on the Rose Hill campus. I hope you can be with us there.
I know you join with us in prayer for the Holy Father, both in thanks for his election, and that he may long lead the church with wisdom and grace.
Sincerely,
Joseph M. McShane, S.J.
President, Fordham University
###
“It has been a truly historic day for the Society of Jesus as we learned that our brother, Cardinal Jorge Maria Bergoglio, was selected to lead the Catholic Church as Pope Francis I. As Jesuits, we emphasize social justice in our ministry, and we are gratified to have a leader who will continue to live out this mission on a global stage. We pray that the Pope’s grounding in Ignatian spirituality will guide him as he carries out this extraordinary calling to lead the Church of the 21st century.”
Rev. Gregory F. Lucey, S.J.
President, Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
