Thank you Pope Francis

Let’s unite in showing gratitude and offering prayers for Pope Francis, who returned to the Father’s House on April 21, 2025.

Equipment: A small table with a white cloth, A photo of Pope Francis, A battery candle or tealight, Printed quote(s) from Pope Francis, Paper doves, Heart shapes, Pens or pencils

Response: Write/Draw

Relationship: Me & Others

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Hosting a prayer space? »

These days, we join millions of people worldwide in praying for Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, and has returned to the Father’s House. He was a leader full of love, mercy, and peace- he loved Jesus deeply and cared for the poor, the world, children, and young people like you. We want to invite you to pause and pray.

Sit in silence.
Reflect on what kind of person Pope Francis was. Think about what it means to live gently and humbly, as he did.
Read some of Pope Francis’ quotes.
Take a heart-shaped template and write a thank you for something Pope Francis said or did.
Take a dove-shaped template and write a prayer for him as he leaves this world to return to God.
Put your gratitude and prayer in the box.

Digital Memorial

As a tribute to Pope Francis, a digital memorial was created so that you can share your experience of Pope Francis, so that together we can remember the mark this Pope has left on our hearts. We invite you to share your memories — perhaps even with photos or video clips — on this memorial by visiting here: https://padlet.com/ArchdioceseOfMalta/popefrancisdigitalmemorial

Videos about Pope Francis’ life

You can also watch these videos about the life of Pope Francis and his ministry within the Church and for the World.

15 Inspiring Quotes from Pope Francis

Share these quotes from Pope Francis with the children and young people during a reflection or a prayer activity (download the zip file with posters):

“Dear children, Jesus is your friend. Never forget this! Jesus is your friend.” — Meeting with children, Manila, Philippines, 2015
“You are not the future. You are the now of God.” — World Youth Day, Panama, 2019
“God loves you. Never doubt it, no matter what happens in your life. At every moment, you are infinitely loved.” — Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive), 2019
“Dream big! Do not be afraid to dream of great things!” — General Audience, April 2014
“Jesus wants to be your friend. Talk to Him in prayer and trust in His love.” — Letter to children preparing for First Holy Communion, 2019
“Young people, do not bury your talents, the gifts that God has given you! Do not be afraid to dream of great things!” — Vigil with Young People, World Youth Day, Rio de Janeiro, 2013
“Make your voices heard. Be brave! Don’t be afraid to get involved and help build a better world.” — Message for World Youth Day, 2021
“Each one of you is precious. Each one of you is a gift. You are never alone!” — Audience with Children, Vatican, 2014

Other Quotes are:

“God never tires of forgiving us.”
“Jesus is your friend. Never forget that.”
“Do not be afraid to dream of great things.”
“The world tells us to seek success, power, and money; God tells us to seek humility, service, and love.”
“Let us protect the earth, so that we may protect ourselves.”
“A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.”
“Each of us is a small light, but together we shine brightly.”
“You were not made to walk alone.”
“The Lord is always there, even in our darkest moments.”
“We all have the duty to do good.”
“Joy is a sign that the Gospel is being lived.”
“Speak to Jesus with your heart. He is listening.”
“To change the world, we must be good to those who cannot repay us.”
“Be courageous! Go forward with joy!”
“Love is more powerful than hate. Love changes the world.”