Public mourning and tributes continue across the globe ahead of Saturday’s funeral for Pope Francis. The Argentine pontiff passed away on April 21 from a stroke. He was 88.
On Wednesday, pallbearers carried the pontiff’s body to St. Peter’s Basilica to lie in state for three days. As mourners gather in Rome’s Vatican City to pay their respects, here in Northeast Georgia, others are offering up prayers and gratitude for his spiritual guidance.
Pope Francis is being remembered for his humble style, concern for the poor, and insistent prayers for peace. After being elected as the first Latin American pope in 2013, Francis became known for his progressive stance, inspiring both admiration and debate. He frequently championed a more inclusive church – welcoming to LGBTQ individuals – and spoke out on political matters such as immigration.
To some, his views were as unorthodox as his ascension to the papacy. Francis succeeded Pope Benedict, who, due to declining health, was the first pope to step down in almost 600 years.
A pope of the people
Father Jose Raul de Leon, the priest of St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Clarkesville, described Francis as a pope of the people – a holy man who sought to reach the masses directly. De Leon pointed to the name chosen by the pope, Francis, after Saint Francis of Assisi, a friar who chose a life of poverty and service of the Catholic faith and the poor.
“I think the pope came bringing a different vibe, a different attitude,” de Leon shared with Now Habersham following the pope’s death. “He was very down to earth since the very beginning. He had this priority toward the poor … this was his mission. He had a message of bringing people in, and it was very simple. Many people were able to understand his message and his words.”
De Leon said Francis, as pope, brought about the evolution of the Catholic church – not “by changing doctrines or beliefs” – but through mercy and compassion.
“He brought that sense of freshness into the church, not so much as an institution, but as a house – a place where everyone is welcome,” de Leon said. “He touched many difficult issues, and for some people, Francis was kind of controversial because he threw things out there. But I think, in general, his heart was in making people feel that they are loved by God, regardless of their situation.”
As a priest, de Leon said Francis had a direct influence on him and the way he looks to lead his congregation – through action.
“It was that (concept of) reaching out,” he said. “Not staying in and waiting for people to come to me, but going to the periphery, going to the outside, going to the people who are not coming to church. (Francis) always used to say the phrase: ‘Smelling like the sheep.’ To be with the people – to go where people are.”
Francis’ death, for de Leon, was powerful in that it came a day after Easter, just hours after the pope had met with world leaders and delivered his final Easter message.
“Some of the last words of Pope Francis on Sunday were, ‘Your pains, your tears have been heard,'” de Leon said, recalling Francis’ Easter message. “‘God listens to you. He’s with you. He’s walking with you.’ The fact that he died a few hours after saying those words to the whole world – those words are fulfilled. God heard him…on the biggest day of the year. If there’s a day to die, it’s on Easter.”
Local reactions
“The pope has been a voice advocating for the freedom and equality, enlightened by charity, in our world – especially for the poor and those who are distraught by their socioeconomic situation among us – whether Catholic or non-Catholic,” said Father Grzegorz Okulewicz, a priest visiting St. Mark’s in de Leon’s absence Wednesday, April 23.
Tom Rios, the lead sacristist at St. Mark’s, also spoke of the pope’s impact on the Catholic faith as a whole.
For many, many years, people will realize that for his whole life, (Francis) wanted to be with God,” he said. “God willing, that’s what happened…we’re more happy than sad that he is where he wanted to be. As we are sinners coming into the faith, we’re being called to help others, to help the homeless, to help the food banks – everything that supports our community and other communities, so that we’re a model. This is what (Francis) always wanted us to be.”
Baldwin Mayor Stephanie Almagno, a Catholic, described Francis as “a person who could distill the essence of an idea to its most fundamental position, and then share that essence.”
“For me, Pope Francis lived the fundamental and universal teaching of Jesus Christ: We are called to love and be in service to each other,” Almagno said. “The pope’s spirit resonated with little children and world leaders alike because all who heard Pope Francis received this same message of compassion. I believe that if I lead with empathy and compassion in all my life choices, I will honor the teachings of Jesus. Pope Francis demonstrated that to lead with compassion and empathy is not weakness but the highest calling. He was a true servant-leader.”
In Athens on Monday, students at the Catholic Center on the University of Georgia campus mourned the pope’s death, with many stopping by to pray, according to WUGA News.
What’s next
The public mourning period will end on Friday at 7 p.m. local time.
Cardinals met at the Vatican on Tuesday to schedule Francis’ funeral and burial, and plan the conclave to elect his successor and make other decisions about running the Catholic Church.
Two conservative cardinals have bowed out of the upcoming conclave to elect the next pope. That brings the number of cardinal electors to 133 and deprives the conservative bloc of two necessary votes, according to AP News.
The Archdiocese of Valencia on Wednesday confirmed that Spanish Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, 79, will not be attending due to his health. Bosnian Cardinal Vinko Puljic, 79, will similarly not attend for health reasons, the Croatian HRT public broadcaster reported.
Cardinals have not yet said when the conclave would begin, but it could be as soon as May 5.
