Br Michael Schöpf SJ, the International Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), shared heartfelt reflections on Pope Francis’ profound legacy as a champion for refugees and a tireless advocate for peace. In the days following Pope Francis' passing, many who worked alongside him or were inspired by his mission have voiced deep gratitude for the path he forged and the hope he inspired.

Among these voices, Br Michael stands out, leading an organization dedicated to walking with and defending the rights of forcibly displaced individuals. Speaking with Vatican Radio, he described Pope Francis as "the sole global voice" in an increasingly fragmented and indifferent world. "He made refugees visible," Br Michael emphasized. "He gave them a rightful place within the human family and assured them: 'You belong.'"

Pope Francis’ commitment, Br Michael observed, was not confined to words alone; it came alive through his actions—embracing migrants, offering them platforms to tell their stories, and affirming their humanity in the face of adversity. “He understood profoundly that dignity is essential for the foundation of peace,” Br Michael reflected. "With his passing, we lose not just a defender of refugees, but a towering voice for peace itself."

During the Pope’s twelve-year leadership, JRS found in him both a source of strength and a mirror for its own values. Br Michael noted how Pope Francis empowered the organization to raise its voice boldly and clearly, even when that meant standing against prevailing currents. In a world Br Michael described as slipping into a new era of "empires," characterized by rivalry, disarray, and weakened international cooperation, he expressed a deep hope that the new Pope will carry forward the urgent defense of human dignity that Pope Francis so fiercely championed.

Remembering his personal moments with Pope Francis, Br Michael spoke warmly of the late Pontiff’s simplicity and authenticity. Living within a Jesuit community in Rome offered him the rare opportunity to experience these personal encounters—moments where Pope Francis would casually join for lunch or coffee, like a beloved uncle dropping by. Some meetings were more intentional and intimate, like one profound gathering focused on the vocation of Jesuit brothers, where the Pope arrived without prepared remarks, preferring instead to listen and engage.

Br Michael shared that dialogue, not agreement, was Pope Francis' way; the belief that true solutions are born in open-hearted exchange. This lesson, he said, continues to guide his own work at JRS: to stay open, to trust that the Holy Spirit speaks most powerfully through honest dialogue.

As Br Michael looks ahead, he is determined to honor the spirit Pope Francis embodied—a spirit of listening, discernment, courage, and a relentless pursuit of peace. "Pope Francis taught us to be open and to seek God's will in the messy reality of the world, always keeping peace at the center," he said. "That is the legacy we now carry forward."