24th April 2025

Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Equity salutes Pope Francis’s legacy of compassion

By Ministry of Equity

As Saint Lucia joins the global community in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment, which holds the portfolio for Ecclesiastical Affairs, has offered condolences to Catholics and religious faithful individuals over his demise.

The Ecclesiastical Affairs Unit notes that, now more than ever, is the ideal time to reflect on the life of a pontiff who transcended the traditional boundaries of religious leadership to become a beacon of hope, compassion, and justice for the world’s most vulnerable.

Pope Francis, who passed away peacefully on Easter Monday, April 20, 2025, at the age of 88, leaves behind a towering legacy of humility, inclusion, and service. The first Latin American and Jesuit pope in history, he became known not just as the spiritual leader of over a billion Roman Catholics but also as a tireless advocate for the poor, the displaced, and the forgotten.

Hon. Joachim Henry, Minister for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment and responsible for Ecclesiastical Affairs, says his Ministry and by extension the nation, recognizes Pope Francis’s unmatched contribution to reshaping the global discourse on poverty, climate justice, and human dignity.

“Pope Francis redefined the papacy with profound humility and courage. He reminded us all -Catholics and non-Catholics alike- that leadership is most powerful when it is rooted in love, mercy, and service to the least among us. His voice was a voice for the voiceless. His legacy will continue to inspire us in Saint Lucia as we work toward a more just, compassionate, and inclusive society.”

Under Pope Francis’s leadership, the Roman Catholic Church became a louder and clearer voice on issues of poverty, inequality, migration, and ecological responsibility.

As the world prepares to bid farewell to a spiritual giant, the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment offers condolences to the Roman Catholic Community and joins them in honoring a pontiff whose vision was as bold as it was compassionate.

TO RECEIVE NEWS NOTIFICATIONS VIA WHATS APP PLEASE SAVE OUR NUMBER AND SEND US A MESSAGE AT 7584896261 AND WE WILL ADD YOU TO OUR LIST