As I stepped into the quiet beauty of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, I was struck by a gentle sense of reverence. It wasn’t the kind of awe that comes from grandeur – it was something deeper. A peaceful presence, born of prayer, of humility, of lives lived for love. And in that sacred space, I found myself at the tomb of Pope Francis – Franciscus – a man whose life quietly transformed the Church by the way he listened, welcomed, and walked with the world.

To stand there, in this Jubilee Year, as one of the Pilgrims of Hope, was a powerful moment. It was not only a personal pilgrimage – it felt like a shared journey. One I was taking not just on my own, but with countless educators, families, and young people from around the world who have been touched by the heart of this Pope.

For those of us who serve in Catholic schools, this visit felt especially meaningful. Pope Francis was a teacher in the truest sense. He didn’t just proclaim doctrine – he embodied compassion. He taught with his actions, with his tenderness, and with his conviction that every person matters. His papacy was one of accompaniment: going to the margins, listening deeply, and constantly pointing us back to the Gospel call to love without limits.

I found myself remembering one of his most persistent refrains: “Do not let yourselves be robbed of hope.” It’s a line that echoes through classrooms and courtyards, in the midst of busy schedules and heavy hearts. Hope is what we carry as Catholic educators. Hope that formation matters. Hope that the values we live and share will take root. Hope that the small, everyday acts of care, patience, and encouragement are, in fact, the building blocks of God’s kingdom.

In this Year of Jubilee, we’re called to move forward with renewed hearts. Visiting Pope Francis’ tomb reminded me that our call is not to comfort or convenience, but to courage and communion. We are called to be joyful witnesses. To be bridges. To be bearers of light, especially when the path is unclear.

Pope Francis now rests in peace, but his spirit moves. It moves in every school bell that calls students to learn. In every teacher who sees potential in a struggling student. In every leader who dares to dream of a school that is more inclusive, more compassionate, more faithful.

So as we continue our journey – Pilgrims of Hope – may we walk with the same humility, the same boldness, the same trust in God’s mercy that he did.

Let us keep walking, together.