Regis Students Join Catholics From Around the World at Pope Francis’s Funeral

A group of Regis students and faculty members joined Catholics from around the world on Saturday at the funeral of Pope Francis. Ten students, accompanied by Principal Mr. Charlie Heintz and theology teacher Mr. Lou Cicalese, gathered with a crowd estimated at more than 250,000 people to celebrate the life of Pope Francis and pray for the repose of his soul.

The Regis contingent initially had planned to travel to Italy for the canonization of the first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis, but the canonization was postponed following Pope Francis’s passing. The group traveled as scheduled on Wednesday to Acutis's native Milan, where they visited Acutis's home parish and his school, the Leone XIII Institute. The group then continued on to Rome, where they arrived early Saturday morning to attend the funeral.

"Our group traveled from Milan with 250 students from Jesuit schools around the world," said Mr. Heintz. "Regians exchanged stories, made friends, and shared an experience that will last a lifetime. The mantra and the message of the pilgrimage came from the words of Carlo Acutis that echo in Francis’s papacy: 'All are born originals, but most die as photocopies.'"

Before departing for the trip, juniors Philip Liew ’26 and Clayton Prisament ’26 spoke with NY1 about attending the funeral of the first Jesuit pope. You can watch that segment by clicking here.