April 24, 2025

As we all mourn the death of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and pray for the repose of his soul, let us also remember the rich legacy of social teaching Pope Francis leaves behind. His pontificate was especially marked by his dedication to the marginalized and care for creation. Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si’, focused the Church on care of creation in a new way, urging that care for creation is a core Gospel mandate, linking the destiny of the planet with the dignity of every person and summoning the Church to urgent, hope‑filled action. His apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum, years after Laudato Si’, continued to exhort the Church and the world to care for creation.  

"Yet we are called to be instruments of God our Father, so that our planet might be what he desired when he created it and correspond with his plan for peace, beauty and fullness." (Laudato Si,’ 53)

CMSM has a compilation of JPIC resources available for JPIC coordinators or leaders of communities in the Member Content area of our website. If you are interested in gaining access to these resources, please email David Rohrer Budiash (drohrerbudiash@cmsm.org) for instructions on how to sign up.

Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States - Statement on the Death of Pope Francis

Fr. Brian Paulson, SJ, president of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, released a statement on the death of Pope Francis. His statement offers a brief expression of gratitude for the Holy Father’s extraordinary life of service to the Church. 

Read the statement here.

USCCB Ends Cooperative Agreements with the Government

On April 7, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) announced its decision not to renew the cooperative agreements with the federal government related to children’s services and refugee support.

Read more here.

Letter to Congress on Defunding the Abortion Industry

Bishop Robert Barron and Bishop Daniel E. Thomas wrote a letter to Congress about the pro-life activism that took place on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC in March. The letter encourages Congress to cut taxpayer resources that are supporting the abortion industry.

Read the letter here.

Letter to Congress on Budget Reconciliation Package

Archbishop Borys Gudziak, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, and Kerry Alys Robinson, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA sent a letter to U.S. lawmakers on the importance of Medicaid and other policies essential to families’ ability to meet basic human needs.

Read the letter here.

Pope Francis dies at 88, ending historic pontificate marked by mercy and reform

Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at 7:35am local time, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. The 88-year-old pontiff, who led the Catholic Church for nearly 13 years, died peacefully at his Casa Santa Marta residence at the Vatican.

Read more here.

Earth Day: 10 quotes from Pope Francis on creation, care for the environment

Earth Day was celebrated on Tuesday, April 22. In honor of Pope Francis, the National Catholic Register has compiled ten quotes from Pope Francis on creation and care for the environment. 

“Nature is a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness. Rather than a problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise.” (Laudato Si’, 12)

Read more here.

Complexities of US immigration visa system impact the church’s pastoral mission

The United States immigration system is complex and ever-changing. Religious workers often start with an R-1 visa, allowing them to stay in the U.S. for five years. After this period, they must leave the country for at least one year before reapplying, causing disruptions in their ministry. Miguel Naranjo, director of religious immigration services for the Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. (CLINIC), expressed concerns about the lack of options for religious workers to remain in the U.S. beyond the R-1 status.​

Read more here.

Franciscan Action Network Annual Benefit Program - I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me: A Century of Franciscan Solidarity with Migrants

• Wednesday, June 11 at 7:00 pm ET
• Register here.



2025 Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference: Love in Action

• October 18-20, 2025, in Washington, DC
• More information is available here.

Contact CMSM JPIC

Dr. David Rohrer Budiash, Director of Programs & Managing Editor, Review for Religious

Visit us online: cmsm.org/justiceandpeace