A Life Worth Remembering: Honouring Pope Francis on His First Anniversary

On 19th April, our catechism community paused to remember a shepherd who changed the world not through power, but through humility.

To mark the first anniversary of the passing of Pope Francis, our Form 3 students took the lead in organising and animating a Memorial Gallery Walk, transforming our community hall into a space of reflection, learning, and quiet prayer for over 200 students who walked through its stations.

Four Stations, One Story

Working in groups, the Form 3 students designed and managed four exhibition stations, each drawing from a different chapter of Pope Francis’ life and legacy. What struck visitors immediately was how alive each station felt, interactive, engaging, and thoughtfully designed to make learning enjoyable without losing the reverence of the occasion.

At the first station, visitors were invited to step into The Life of Pope Francis, tracing his journey from a young boy in Argentina to the Bishop of Rome who chose to ride the bus and carry his own bags. Young hands were encouraged to assemble the timeline of the pope on the wall from the stories they heard.

The second station brought to life his call to Mercy and Kindness, with images of a Pope who washed prisoners’ feet, embraced the sick, and never tired of going to the margins.

The third station explored Care for Our Common Home, inspired by his landmark encyclical Laudato Si’ where students even showcased creations made from recycled materials, and visitors were able to “play” in the interactive booth space, bringing a spark of fun to a meaningful reflection.

And the fourth offered something rarer in a busy Sunday morning: a moment of stillness, at a Prayer and Peace corner where visitors wrote their intentions and placed them on a prayer wall.

More Than an Exhibition
What made this memorial special was not just what the students learned about Pope Francis, but what they practised in preparing for it. Each group divided roles among themselves, presenters, activity leaders, display managers, crowd guides and showed up ready. They welcomed visitors, gave clear explanations, managed their stations with calm confidence, and looked after one another throughout.
In doing so, they embodied something Pope Francis himself always championed: that leadership is service, and that the community is stronger when everyone plays their part.

Carrying His Legacy Forward
Pope Francis once said: “An authentic faith always involves a deep desire to change the world.” Our Form 3 students may not have set out to change the world that Sunday morning, but they did something quietly significant. They helped 200 of their peers see a great man clearly, feel his teachings personally, and carry a little more of his spirit home.

We are proud of every student who gave their time, creativity, and heart to this memorial. And we are grateful for a Pope whose life continues to teach us, even now.

By Julianna