The United Nations University joins the global community in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. He will be remembered as a global leader and a visionary pontiff whose life was dedicated to the service of others.
As the first Pope from the Global South, Pope Francis brought a powerful and timely voice to the world stage. He consistently sought to bridge the divides that separate humankind and urged us to see one another with compassion, dignity and a shared sense of responsibility. From the outset of his papacy, Pope Francis embodied the alignment of moral conviction with meaningful action.
Among his many contributions, Pope Francis was a steadfast supporter of the mission of the United Nations and, in particular, the global path towards sustainable development. Speaking before the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 at the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, he noted that education is “the basis for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda". His deep belief in education as a fundamental human right was just one aspect of his broader, enduring commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals over the past decade. His landmark encyclical Laudato Si’ offered a moral and philosophical foundation for urgent environmental action and helped catalyse momentum towards the Paris Agreement.
In his words: “We consider education to be one of the most effective ways of making our world and history more human. Education is above all a matter of love and responsibility handed down from one generation to another."
These values are at the heart of the mission of the United Nations University and continue to guide our work.
In his final years, Pope Francis also spoke with clarity and conviction about the future of artificial intelligence. His message for the 2024 World Day of Peace resonates deeply with me, especially his call to ensure that AI promotes integral human development and serves the most vulnerable. This vision aligns closely with the mission of the United Nations University — to advance solutions for global challenges through policy-relevant research and collaboration. He urged policymakers, scholars and educators to ensure that AI remains a tool in human hands — guided by ethics and grounded in human dignity.
Though I had the privilege of beginning to collaborate with the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development last year, I deeply regret not having had the opportunity to speak with Pope Francis — about the future of education, the governance of AI and how we might better align innovation with justice. His legacy calls on us to do just that: to think and act with mind, heart, and hands, in pursuit of a future shaped not by fear or profit, but by compassion, solidarity and shared responsibility.
Until his final day, Pope Francis worked tirelessly for peace, justice and the care of our common home. He will be remembered not only for the power of his words, but for the humility and courage with which he lived them. We draw enduring inspiration from his life and legacy, which will continue to inspire generations to come.
On behalf of the United Nations University, I extend heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community and to all those whose lives were touched by his example. May we honour his legacy by carrying forward the values he championed — for human dignity, global solidarity and a sustainable future for all.
