As the world continues to mourn the passing of Pope Francis, one Scottish priest has publicly praised the late pontiff’s enduring legacy—particularly his deep impact on young adults seeking spiritual meaning in a secular world.
Father David Stewart SJ of the Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart in Edinburgh spoke on BBC Radio Scotland during a special Act of Worship aired on Sunday, offering heartfelt reflections on the Pope’s ministry and his call for a Church that engages with modern seekers.
Fr Stewart told ICN shortly after the broadcast that Pope Francis had “left us pastoral ministers a big opportunity to bring the Gospel to the next generation.” He emphasized a rising interest among young people, particularly in their 20s and 30s, in Christian faith and spiritual direction—a trend the Jesuit parish in Edinburgh is witnessing firsthand.
“More and more are coming every week, asking about Christ and our faith,” said Fr Stewart. “Here at the Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart, Edinburgh, we are seeing on the ground what others are reporting too: new faces every week, especially at our Sunday evening young adult Mass, The Seven.”
An Encounter Generation: What Young People Seek
Fr Stewart described a generation looking less for dogma and more for genuine testimonies of faith, authenticity, and spiritual community.
“They are looking for testimony of how God works in our lives, they are looking for truth that they can live by,” he said.
The Jesuit priest’s comments reflect growing anecdotal evidence of a quiet revival of religious interest among young adults in urban centres. In Edinburgh, The Seven Mass has become a focal point for those exploring faith seriously—many of whom arrive without prior strong religious backgrounds.
The Mass offers a modern liturgical setting geared toward community, contemplation, and authentic spiritual engagement. While the Church has historically struggled to maintain young adult engagement, initiatives like these appear to be responding to a real hunger.
“Todos, Todos, Todos”: The Pope’s Radical Welcome
Fr Stewart credited Pope Francis for shaping this pastoral openness, citing the Pope’s famous insistence during World Youth Day in Lisbon two years ago that the Church should welcome “todos, todos, todos”—everyone, everyone, everyone.
“Pope Francis told us that he wanted a church that ‘goes out’, that does not lock itself narcissistically in the sacristy, but simultaneously welcomes everyone.”
He added: “Let’s open those doors for them!”
This inclusive message has resonated globally and now finds echoes in local contexts like Edinburgh, where priests are tasked with accompanying a new generation—often skeptical, often disillusioned—yet increasingly curious about faith.
A Ministry of Witness, Not Just Words
Fr Stewart’s remarks point to a deeper pastoral challenge: that of witnessing through presence, truthfulness, and openness, rather than rigid proclamations. He suggests that Pope Francis has given the clergy a “permission slip” of sorts—to meet people where they are, especially young adults navigating a world of uncertainty, moral confusion, and spiritual searching.
“We need to be ready to welcome each one,” he said.
In the wake of Pope Francis’ death, such testimony takes on renewed significance, as ministers across Scotland and beyond reckon with the legacy of a pope who reshaped how the Catholic Church interacts with the modern world.
