Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins Statement on the Passing of His Holiness Pope Francis

“The world mourns the passing of a truly extraordinary and compassionate leader—His Holiness, Pope Francis. As the first Jesuit pope, he brought with him a deep spiritual and intellectual legacy grounded in humility, love and service to others. He reminded us all that faith and progress are not mutually exclusive—that caring for the poor and embracing one another across lines of difference are not just ideals, but moral imperatives. As a proud graduate of Fordham Preparatory School, a Jesuit institution, I feel a deep connection to the values Pope Francis embodied: a commitment to justice, the pursuit of truth, and the belief that love and unity must guide our actions. We are grateful for his life, his leadership and the enduring example he leaves behind. May we honor his memory by carrying his message of compassion and inclusion forward.”