Happy Sunday, everyone. I’m Nicole Schuman, Managing Editor for PRNEWS.

On Monday, April 21, the morning after Easter Sunday, the global leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, died of a stroke and heart failure at the age of 88.

The Pope tends to be one of the most recognizable figures in the world, and for Pope Francis, this was no exception. He also held a pretty sterling reputation with the public, which is not an easy feat for any leader. According to a 2024 Pew Research Survey, 75% of U.S. Catholics viewed Pope Francis favorably.

The foundation for that reputation? The ability to communicate clearly, transparently and with empathy—something all communicators and leaders, no matter what their belief system, can learn from.

Our contributing writer, Dan Rene, highlighted some communication best practices from Pope Francis's tenure in his latest piece. You can read the full article here.

The PRNEWS team wishes you a restful Sunday and a great start to your week. As always, we welcome feedback on our newsletters. Feel free to contact me at nschuman@prnewsonline.com.

• He avoided jargon. Instead, he used direct language that people could comprehend, and more importantly, feel.
• One of the most effective communication strategies is to treat every engagement as an opportunity, not a challenge. Pope Francis rarely appeared on the defensive. Instead, he shaped the narrative.
• Pope Francis’s words were memorable because they were meaningful. He shared ideas in a way that challenged people to live with intention. He focused on what he wanted audiences to do after hearing him, not just what he wanted them to know.