On April 21, 2025, the world bid farewell to Pope Francis, a shepherd who walked with the poor, spoke with a voice of mercy, and led the Church with the heart of a servant. To commemorate his passing, the Vincentian Family has prepared a special issue of its international bulletin as a tribute to his life, legacy, and deep connection with the Vincentian charism.

From the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis echoed the values at the heart of our Vincentian spirituality: closeness to the poor, a Church that goes forth, the dignity of every person, and a faith that becomes action. His words and witness brought the Gospel to life in the streets, on the margins, and in the hearts of those who felt unseen.

Why a Special Issue?

This commemorative edition is not simply a memorial—it is a celebration of a life poured out in service, and a call to continue walking the path of compassion, justice, and hope that Pope Francis so passionately championed. The Vincentian Family, in all its branches and across the globe, recognizes in Pope Francis a brother in mission, a spiritual companion who spoke our language of love for the poor.

What You Will Find Inside:

• A biographical sketch tracing Pope Francis’ life, ministry, and papacy.
• A reflection on his vision for the Church and the world in our time.
• A summary of his most influential documents, including Evangelii Gaudium, Laudato Si’, and Fratelli Tutti.
• In-depth articles exploring how the Vincentian charism resonates in his encyclicals and pastoral actions.
• A special feature on how young Vincentians are living out his legacy of mercy, justice, and missionary zeal.
• A final reflection: “Francis, Pilgrim of Hope”, connecting his spirituality with the Risen Christ, Christian hope, and the legacy he leaves for tomorrow’s Church.
• Two beautiful prayers: one to the Merciful God, and another to Mary, Salus Populi Romani (English: Salvific Health of the Roman Peoples, also known as Our Lady of the Snows), offered in thanksgiving for Pope Francis’ life and ministry.

This special issue is more than a magazine—it is a spiritual journey and an invitation to reflect on the kind of Church we are called to be.

We invite you to read, pray, and share this special issue widely as we give thanks for the life of Pope Francis and renew our commitment to serve Christ in those who are poor, as he did—with joy, humility, and tireless love.

FAMVIN NEWS – NUMBER 6
VINCENTIAN FAMILY NEWSLETTER – APRIL 2025
to download or read online

The newsletter is available in two formats: it can be downloaded from a cloud service (box.com) as a PDF file and it can also be read online at Scribd.com. It is not necessary to be a registered user on either platform.

For now, this newsletter is available only in English, Spanish and Italian. We will add more languages as we prepare them.

Discover previous issues of our newsletter:

• Newsletter #1.
• Newsletter #2.
• Newsletter #3.
• Newsletter #4.
• Newsletter #5.