Scouts worldwide pay tribute to Pope Francis

Scouts around the world are paying tribute to Pope Francis, who passed away earlier this week aged 88, reflecting on his life and lasting legacy. A powerful advocate for young people, he frequently spoke of their potential and hopes for the future, striking parallels with Scouting’s values through messages focused on themes of friendship, faith, and action.

Born in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis made history as the first pontiff from Latin America. Throughout his papacy, he championed social justice and was a leading voice in addressing the climate crisis. He played a pivotal role in fostering inter-religious dialogue, working tirelessly to bring different faiths closer together in the spirit of peace and mutual understanding. His humility and dedication to serving others resonated with Scouting communities worldwide.

As a spiritual leader, he visited Scout groups across the globe, inspiring many to make a difference and build a more just and peaceful society. In an interview in 2015, he urged Scouts to embrace stewardship, saying: “Remember, we are just custodians, we are here for a very short period of time on Earth. So when you work with Scouts, make sure we pass along a good Earth and a good world and all the good values that are important.”

In the days since his passing, Scouting organisations in countries including Chile, Paraguay, Poland, Spain, Timor-Leste, and the United Kingdom have joined in honouring his memory. The International Catholic Conference of Scouting, an international body representing roughly 8 million Scouts, paid tribute to Pope Francis for carrying the “dreams of the young people” and “those values which are dear to the Scouts”.