Local parishioners mourn loss of Pope Francis

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Local parishioners mourned the loss of the highest leader of the Catholic Church on Monday.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Gergoglio, passed away at 7:35 a.m. Vatican time Monday, not long after the 88 year old was seen waiving to thousands of worshipers Sunday morning on his way in to Saint Peter’s Square, and meeting with Vice President JD Vance for Easter greetings.

“We’re all very saddened to hear of the passing of his holiness Pope Francis,” Diocese of Providence Director of Communications Michael Kieloch said. “Certainly the entire catholic community is praying for him.”

While Pope Francis’ duties often required him to converse with world leaders, his legacy endures as one of humility.

“I think his legacy of reaching out to the poor and all the marginalized and just really every corner of the catholic community is going to leave a profound legacy for him,” Kieloch said.

“He was a good man he brought something new, a new approach to the Catholic Church, which I think was needed,” Providence College Theology Professor James Keating said. “He really focused on the compassion of God, therefore if God is compassionate to us, we should be compassionate to others.”

That compassion is also noted by the Diocese of Providence.

Monsignor Albert Kenney, the Diocesan Administrator said in part quote, “Our Holy Father has been a shining and powerful example of the mercy of God, embracing in his petrine ministry the poor, the migrant, the marginalized, and the global catholic community.”