April 21, 2025

Dear Manhattan University family,

We note with sadness the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, who has guided the Catholic Church since 2013. As a Lasallian Catholic university, we join people around the world in prayer as we mourn and celebrate his life in this Easter Season. We are especially grateful for the leadership and the support he has offered to our Lasallian family worldwide. Many may recall his visit to New York City ten years ago, where a number of our students, faculty and staff attended events with him.

Pope Francis inaugurated this year, 2025, as a Jubilee Year of Hope. Over the weekend, in his Easter homily, the Holy Father reflected on the promise of hope, even in moments of sadness.  

“When the thought of death lies heavy on our hearts, when we see the dark shadows of evil advancing in our world, when we feel the wounds of selfishness or violence festering in our flesh and in our society, let us not lose heart, but return to the message of this night. The light quietly shines forth, even though we are in darkness; the promise of new life and a world finally set free awaits us; and a new beginning, however impossible it might seem, can take us by surprise, for Christ has triumphed over death.”

In this spirit, I invite us as a University community to go forth as witnesses of hope in the world. In the coming days, our campus community will mark the passing of Pope Francis with:

• A memorial book in our campus Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers where students can write or share reflections.
• A Requiem Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 23, at 12:15 pm in the Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers.  Classes will be suspended from 12 noon to 1:15 pm and will resume at 1:30 pm.

In faith and hope,

Fred Bonato