By Zile Singh

As usual, the Society met on Thursday, April 24th.  All the members stood in silence for a minute to pay homage to Rev. People Francis and the innocent victims of the terrorist incident of Pahalgam in Kashmir (India).  “May I give you a piece of advice: Never end the day without making peace.” – Pope Francis.

“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal” – Albert Pike.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was a prominent figure in the Catholic Church, serving as the 266th Pope from 2013 until his death on April 21, 2025. He was known for his progressive stance on social issues and his focus on the poor and marginalized. 

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, to Italian immigrant parents.Ordained a Jesuit priest in 1969.Became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998.Made a cardinal in 2001. Elected Pope in 2013, becoming the first Jesuit and the first Latin American pope. Known for his humility, his focus on the poor, and his willingness to address social issues like poverty, climate change, and the plight of immigrants. Authored the encyclical Laudato Si’ (2015), which addresses the climate crisis. Apologized to survivors of clergy sexual abuse. Advocated for peace and reconciliation. His papacy was marked by both widespread admiration and some controversy regarding his more progressive views, Died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.