For the last few years of his life, my father was not himself.

He often did not know where he was or recognize members of our family. Yet, he was still my dad. None of us were surprised when he passed, but it did take some time to adjust. To tell the truth, I am still getting used to his absence. His passing was a milestone for my family and the end of an era. Yet, it was also the start of a new one. Since his death, several great-grandchildren have been born, and our family moves on, growing on the foundation Dad created. 

Pope Francis’ passing has similarities.

Was I surprised that an 88-year-old man with compromised lungs, who had just spent over a month in the hospital for pneumonia, died? No. Was I ready for it? Probably not. There have been five popes in my lifetime, but for me, Francis was different. Pope Francis, Jorge Bergoglio, S.J., was a member of the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits, just as I have been for almost 40 years. 

Pope Francis lived a simple life

Religious orders in the Roman Catholic Church are communities within the larger community, each with a distinct mission, spiritual focus and shared life. Any member of a religious order would feel a common bond with other members, even if they had never met. Think of members of a fraternity or sorority, branches of the military, professional organizations or even family reunions — there is a bond, and the world suddenly becomes small. 

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When Francis was elected over a dozen years ago, we Jesuits were a bit taken aback. Generally, members of our order do not take part in church leadership as bishops — and certainly not as popes. This was a first. I knew several Jesuits who had lived or worked with Father Bergoglio, but he wasn’t exactly a well-known figure to me or my peers. What we did know was that he was a Jesuit. 

This meant he had taken a vow of poverty — he would live a simple life. He was a member of a global religious order and therefore would have a worldwide perspective. From the spiritual vision of St. Ignatius of Loyola, our founder, he would “find God in all things, and in all things love and serve,” and similar to what was said about St. Ignatius, “the world would be his monastery.” 

All these things played out during Francis’ time as pope. He inserted himself into the world and found God in the poor, the excluded, the refugee and the marginalized. He emphasized the person in front of him, and that is what characterized him. Francis did not change any teachings of the Catholic Church, but he did adjust the focus. For that, he was both praised and criticized. He fought for peace between nations and for the care of our planet. People, places and cultures were sacred — and gifts of God. 

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An unforgettable meeting

In my lifetime, I had seen Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI in person, but I thought I would never see Pope Francis. My work and travel schedule just didn’t seem to allow for it. Then, three years ago, I was called to Rome for an international meeting of Jesuit Brothers. About 35 of us brothers met at the Jesuit headquarters in Rome. On the Feast of St. Ignatius, July 31, Pope Francis paid us a visit. 

In an informal setting, he spoke to us and then took questions. I was very impressed by his simplicity, sense of humor and ability to relate and talk to us on a variety of topics. Before I asked a question, I told him my mother said hello. At the end of the meeting, when he handed each of us a rosary, he asked, “Is this for your mother?” It was. That meeting is one I will carry with me for the rest of my life. 

I am now president of University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy. Along with Loyola High School, we are among the almost 100 members of the Jesuit Schools Network in North America. Our students strive to be “men for others” in the model of Jesus. When our students graduate, we have taught them to be open to growth, intellectually competent, religious, loving and committed to justice. 

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My father’s death changed my life, so will the pope’s

A few years ago, Pope Francis blessed the preferences for Jesuit ministries worldwide — showing the way to God through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, walking with the excluded, accompanying young people in the creation of a hope-filled future and caring for our common home. All of these are the traits of Francis’ pontificate. 

Just like my family after my dad’s death, we move on into that hope-filled future. We move on, but are forever changed. We Jesuits, and those of us connected with Jesuit ministries, have had one of our own in the chair of St. Peter. He will remain an inspiration and has given us cherished memories. What a gift. 

There will be a nine-day period of mourning. During this time there will be a funeral and soon afterward, a conclave. The cardinals of the Church will do their work, and we will have our new pope. U of D Jesuit will be adorned with gold bunting, and along with the rest of the Catholic world, we will welcome our new pope with enthusiasm. 

I’ll still miss my dad. 

Brother James Boynton is president of University of Detroit Jesuit High School.