Pope Francis died Easter Monday at the age of 88.
“At 7:35 this morning, Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, stated in announcing the Pope’s passing Monday morning. “With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
Catholics across the Lakeland join others from around the world in mourning the Pope’s passing.
“As we mourn the death of Pope Francis, I remember how early in his Pontificate he initiated the Holy Year of Mercy and recently has been inviting us to that same mercy in the Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope,” Bishop Gary Franken, Diocese of St. Paul, stated.
“I pray that he who reminded us of our faith in the mercy of God now knows this by sight as he is welcomed to the eternal peace of Christ. His legacy here with the visit to Canada especially for our Indigenous Peoples and also with his tireless work with Synodality will continue to bear fruit. It is with gratitude for his Pontificate that we entrust him to our Lord.”
