He Asked for Our Prayers: Honoring the Pope on Campus

By Rosie Chinea Shawver

I loved this pope.

I remember when he first stepped out onto the balcony, waving gently and asking for our prayers. I was visiting my mom in the hospital in Oxnard, watching the moment unfold on TV with tears in my eyes. When they revealed he was a Jesuit, I was stunned. A Jesuit pope? When I first read Evangelii Gaudium, I cried tears of hope and joy. His words reminded me that the Gospel is alive, that joy is essential to evangelization, and that the Church still has something radiant to offer the world. When my daughter met him at the age of six, I was moved to tears by his compassion -  the way he stooped down to greet her with gentleness and warmth. And when he addressed college campus ministers two years ago in Rome, I felt something shift in me. His words stirred my heart, deepening my own sense of vocation and reigniting my commitment to serve students with both conviction and tenderness.

His death is not just the end of a pontificate - it's the loss of a spiritual father. As I reflect on his life and leadership, I’m also holding space for our students, who may not fully understand the role of the pope or what happens next. Moments like this can be disorienting, but they are also sacred invitations.

College campuses are uniquely positioned to be places of reverent mourning and hope-filled formation. Here are meaningful and mission-aligned ways your campus ministry can accompany students, honor the Holy Father’s life, and engage the broader campus community.

1. Gather in Prayer

The first and most important response is prayer. Consider organizing:

  • A novena for the repose of the pope’s soul, with daily reflections drawn from his encyclicals or addresses.

  • A campus-wide memorial Mass, offering students the chance to grieve and pray communally.

  • Eucharistic Adoration with intentions for the Church, the College of Cardinals, and the discernment of a new pope.

  • A rosary procession through campus, ending at the chapel or Newman Center.

2. Offer Formation Moments

This is a powerful opportunity to teach about the richness of the Church’s structure and the role of the papacy. Some ideas:

  • Host a workshop or lecture on “How the Church Discerns a Pope,” walking through the history, theology, and the process of a conclave.

  • Create a pop-up display or timeline in a high-traffic campus space with info on the papacy, famous popes, and how each has shaped Church history.

  • Lead a “Legacy Night” exploring the life and teachings of the pope through film, discussion, or reading selections from his key writings.

  • Facilitate small groups around the question, “What does the papacy mean to me?” to help students connect the Church’s leadership to their personal faith journey.

3. Engage the Campus Community

Make space for collective mourning, dialogue, and witness:

  • Invite students to write messages, memories, or prayers for a campus “Book of Gratitude,” which could be sent to the Apostolic Nunciature or displayed in your chapel.

  • Organize a candlelight vigil in a central location, combining Scripture, moments of silence, and quotes from the Holy Father.

  • Collaborate with your campus’ communications or chaplain’s office to share a statement honoring the pope’s legacy and inviting the campus to pray for the Church.

This sacred moment is not only a time of loss but also an invitation to awaken wonder in our students - wonder at the Spirit-led process of papal succession, at the beauty of the Body of Christ, and at the call each of us has to serve and lead in our own way.

Let’s use this moment not just to mourn a leader, but to proclaim the hope and unity of our Catholic faith.

Rosie Chinea Shawver