Catholics across the south suburbs and Southwest Side were among those worldwide who were in mourning this week after Pope Francis died on Monday from a stroke that put him into a coma, which led to heart failure.
“I have received word that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has died,” Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, said Monday morning. “In this moment of profound loss for me personally and for the Church, I take this moment to express our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the gift of his papacy and to pray for the repose of his soul. The finest memorial we can offer is to re-form our hearts as Pope Francis asked – to see our brothers and sisters, to listen to them and to offer our prayers and actions that all may experience the fullness of God’s promise. As we mourn his passing, I ask that God comfort us, but also strengthen us to remain steadfast in carrying on the work of restoring our Church’s place in the world as a source of hope and an advocate for those in need.”
Pope Francis, 88, was the first pontiff from Latin America and bells tolled for him in Catholic churches from his native Argentina to Vatican City.
Bishop Daniel Turley, who grew up on Chicago’s Southwest Side and was a bishop in Peru for more than two decades, met Pope Francis many times over the years.
“When he was chosen as Pope in 2013 and chose the name Francis, people said you are the first in the history of the church You are Pope Francis I and he said, ‘No the next pope to choose the name will be Francis I. I’m Francis.
“And I thought that was beautiful. He took as the model for his pontificate Francis of Assisi, the poor one, the one who gave all of his money to the poor, sick and suffering.
“He visited an island off the coast of Italy where he saw migrant bodies (cadavers) there and he said, ‘This can’t go on. We have to look for solutions.’ He was always concerned about the plight of the poor. And you could tell by the look on his face how concerned he was.
‘His first encyclical was the ‘Gospel of Joy.’ He tried to get the message out about Jesus in a joyful way.”
He made his last public appearance on Easter Sunday — a day before his death — to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square, drawing wild cheers and applause. Beforehand, he met U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
Francis performed the blessing from the same loggia where he was introduced on March 13, 2013, as the 266th pope.
He died at 7:35 a.m. (Vatican City time).
At St. Fabian Catholic Church in Bridgeview, the pews were full Monday for a traditional Polish-language Mass the day after Easter — a longstanding custom in the community.
But this year, the service carried extra weight.
“He was very faithful — a warm person, open to all people in the world,” said Father Grzegorz Warmuz, reflecting on the death of Pope Francis. “We are so sad for this day, but Jesus is resurrected, and today we hear the message that Pope Francis is going home — to heaven.”
The parish prayed for the pope during the liturgy, Warmuz said.
“We are grateful for his passion for our world, and the way he was a good apostle for everyone.”
Rev. Homero Sanchez, pastor of St. Rita Parish, reflected on Pope Francis’ tenure.
“Pope Francis brought back the pastoral side. For the past 40 years, most popes have centered on doctrine, Francis opened his arms reminding us that God sent Jesus to remind us of our brothers and sisters bringing attention to the marginalized, the poor, the needy.
“I shouldn’t be sad and here’s what I mean: I think it is amazing that he called his servant home on Easter Monday. Easter Sunday is a day of Hope and Resurrection,
“Francis gave an apostolic blessing on Easter Sunday. His last words were words of joy. Certainly, with the Pope passing on Easter Monday he left his pain and suffering and that is a moment of rejoicing. So, I think it sends a big message for our spiritual health and the promise of everlasting life. And that gives me hope.”
Many commented on his support of the poor.
Sister Immacula Wendt, Sisters of St. Casimir, said, “Pope Francis was there for the poor. His whole life was given to allowing and moving the church forward to living the gospel message. He was truly following in the footsteps of Jesus. Every person he met he was there as if Jesus was there. He valued people for who they were.”
In his final will, Francis confirmed he will be buried in St. Mary Major Basilica in a simple underground tomb with only “Franciscus” written on it. The basilica, which sits outside the Vatican, is home to Francis’ favorite icon of the Virgin Mary, to whom Francis was particularly devoted.
Cupich will preside over a memorial Mass for Pope Francis at Holy Name Cathedral on Wednesday, April 23, at 10 a.m. The public is welcome to attend; no tickets are required.
The Mass will be live streamed at: https://youtube.com/live/wbC9_Lxk_M4?feature=share
Kathy Headley and Nuha Abdessalam contributed to this report