On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis passed away, leaving many around the world in shock due to the sudden nature of his death. The news quickly spread, prompting a range of emotional responses. CHS students’ responses varied based on their proximity to Catholicism.

“I think that the loss of him is a massive loss to all Christians, whether you are Catholic or not,”  senior Gavin Cagney said, a catholic student at CHS. “I was distraught.” 

The Pope’s passing was a shock to many people because of how suddenly it occurred, even though the Pope was public about having pneumonia back in February of this year. Any other ailments he suffered from were kept from the public.

“He led the church very well, like I said, through the modern world, and his death has kind of taken me for a while,” Cagney said. “And I think that that caring mindset really led him to be able to care for the world as the world.”

Pope Francis was one of the most progressive leaders the church has ever had. This has led to his very known good nature,  and love for all people which has strengthened how the world view’s a religious leader.

“It was sad, it’s always sad when somebody dies,” Jordan Nelson, a senior Protestant student said. “But as a Protestant, I am not affected by the death of the Pope.” 

Even though some students at CHS don’t believe in the power of the Pope, they still notice his impact, which I believe is important in noting how much of an effect he had on people when he was alive and how his legacy will live on.

“There are 1.1 billion Catholics around the world who really rely on the structure of the church as an element of civil society,”  Nelson said. “I think having someone to oversee that is important.”