Pope’s death: Reaction pours in from across 2-state region
AUGUSTA, Ga. - With word of the death of Pope Francis, there’s an outpouring of and tributes from across the two-state region and around the world.
Catholic Diocese of Charleston’s Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune said he felt “deep sorrow” over the loss of the ope.
“His leadership, comion and unwavering commitment to peace and justice have inspired millions worldwide, and in a special way, the young,” Fabre-Jeune said.
“Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis called on the world to recognize the dignity of our fellow brothers and sisters, especially those who are suffering, the impoverished, those struggling with addiction and illness. He constantly reminded us of the importance of mercy, forgiveness and love in our everyday lives as well as focusing on the role of grandparents in the transmission of the faith,” he said.
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“As we mourn his ing and grieve, we also rejoice in the hope of the Resurrection. Let us turn to prayer, asking for his intercession and entrusting his soul to God’s mercy as we carry his legacy of love, humility and service to others. May God receive him into the joy of heaven.”
The Savannah Diocese, which includes Augusta, planned a special Mass Tuesday for Francis, “who preached that God is love and that we are saved in hope, that he may know God’s love forever in heaven.”
The Mass will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Cathedral Basilica of John the Baptist in Savannah.
Atlanta Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer said:
“Today, our tears of joy are mixed with tears of sadness as we mourn the death of Pope Francis. We thank God for his gift of the Holy Father’s life and for his papacy marked by a special love for the poor and marginalized. ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’ May Pope Francis rest in peace and may his memory be eternal.’”\
Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., said he was deeply saddened by the death of Francis.
“As a longtime irer of the pope and his work to center the poor and marginalized, I was honored to meet him and pray with him last year,” Warnock said. “I all those across the world mourning his death and celebrating his remarkable life.”
U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., said:
“He was a leader of the faithful and a champion of human freedom. He lived a life marked by deep faith and was a world voice of conscience. Comion and forgiveness were hallmarks of his life’s work and his papacy will be ed for reconciliation and unity. Pope Francis devoted himself to the sacred mission bestowed upon him. His advocacy for the ‘least of these’ will prevail as a source of inspiration to millions of people around the world. We grieve for the loss of this great and holy man.”
Some Georgians attended Mass at the Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta on Monday to say a prayer and their goodbyes just hours after the news of the pope’s ing.
“A sense of shock this morning, I think, for all Catholics,” said Monsignor Francis McNamee.
Many who were already heading to the service said it meant so much more after they learned what had happened overnight.
“I thought, ‘Man, I’ll go to the cathedral, pray for him and thank God for his life and his blessings’,” Davis Riddett said.
He said Pope Francis was a big reason why he reed the Catholic Church.
“He seemed very gentle and open-minded, welcoming of all people and all perspectives,” Riddett said.
McNamee said Francis brought some hope to so many.
“Seeing him come to give the blessing, there was a great sense of hope that the Holy Father had turned the corner,” McNamee said.
Now, words of sympathy from other faith leaders are pouring in.
“Just receiving emails this morning from other pastors and rabbis from other denominations expressing their shock and their sympathy with the Holy Father’s ing,” McNamee said.
Riddett said the timing of his death brings him a bit of peace.
“There’s sorrow, but also just thankful he made it to one more Easter. It felt like he wanted to celebrate the Lord one more time,” he said, following the 6:45 a.m. Mass.
Edward Rodriguez said he believes Pope Francis’ legacy will live on for years to come.
“The pope lived a long, full life, and I think he’s had a wonderful legacy,” Rodriguez said. “We hope his legacy lives on, at least really strong components of his legacy live on, and that’s caring for the poor, the sick, humility, living a lifestyle that Christ says.”
McNamee agrees, saying the pope was always a voice of hope.
“He’ll be ed very much for his love for the poor, the marginalized. Pope Francis had a way of getting the church to think outside the box and to look at the wider church and to really focus on the needs of the wider church and to work together to build a church that all were welcome and all were included,” McNamee said.
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