Christendom College President Emeritus Dr. Timothy O’Donnell recently appeared on Fox News to offer insights into the funeral of Pope Francis. An expert on papal history, Dr. O’Donnell reflected on the late pontiff’s legacy, situating his passing within the broader history of the papacy and why this moment holds global significance.
The first layman to receive a doctorate in ascetical and mystical theology from the Angelicum in Rome, Dr. O’Donnell has spent decades immersed in the history of the papacy. He brought this expertise to Fox & Friends on April 25, honoring the legacy of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 22. Dr. O’Donnell also shared his own personal reflections ahead of what will be the fourth papal funeral he has attended.
“All [papal funerals] are slightly different, but there’s a certain continuity,” said Dr. O’Donnell, who also served as a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for the Family. “Tomorrow, for Pope Francis, what we’re going to see is this incredible turnout of affection, I think, because of this incredible love that he had for the marginalized and those who were on the peripheries. You’re seeing this outpouring of love here in the city of Rome for a number of reasons. Not only because of the death of the Pope, but it’s also because we’re in Easter season, we have an eight-day octave. So, I think you’ll see a very large crowd tomorrow. The beauty and the whole ceremony of the actual funeral itself will be very, very impressive.”
Dr. O’Donnell, along with Christendom students currently studying in Rome, will attend the funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, April 26. They will join thousands of pilgrims from around the world who are gathering to honor the late pontiff.
Dr. O’Donnell first met Pope Francis in 2014 while serving with the Pontifical Council for the Family, introducing him to Christendom College at that time. He was also present in St. Peter’s Square on the night of Pope Francis’ election and again on Easter Sunday 2025 for the Pope’s final public appearance as Supreme Pontiff.
“I remember how moved I was the night he was elected, when he humbly begged all the faithful to pray for him — followed by a prolonged period of silent prayer in St. Peter’s Square,” said Dr. O’Donnell. “This past Easter Sunday, I was again moved by his words and actions, despite his obvious pain and suffering. He made himself visible and available to the faithful, reaching out and blessing infants and children—imitating the Lord, who said, ‘Suffer the little children to come to me.’ Let us all pray fervently for the repose of the soul of our Holy Father.”
May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.