Local faith leaders on Pope Francis
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Pope Francis passed away on Monday, April 21, at the age of 88. Locals here are reacting to the sad news and the Bishop of San Angelo Michael Sis, is giving us some insight on the path forward.
'When a Pope dies, we have to have his funeral within four to six days,' Bishop Sis said. 'Then 15 to 20 days after the funeral, the electing cardinals gather at the assisting chapel in the Vatican and they close themselves from any media and they go through a prayerful discernment which includes some voting until they can come into an agreement as should who should be the next Pope.'
Pope Francis was the first in many things like the first Jesuit Pope, the first Latin American Pope, and the first to pick Francis as his name.
'Our Pope is just like the Jesus Christ of the present age,' Sister Elizabeth Villegas said. 'He is a lover of all people. He doesn't love only Catholics, but he is also the lover of the non-Catholics, Non denomination, anyone. He is like Jesus welcomes everyone.'
Bishop Sis was able to meet with Pope Francis a few times before his passing. He said that in one of their meeting he got to ask him what gives him hope during his times of being in the ministry. His answer
'What gives me hope is the little people,' Bishop Sis said. 'Small, humble people that just live their life and do their job and just put food on the table and just provide for their families. Those are the people that give him hope.'
Not only did the Pope have Hope he also had a strong message during his time as a Pope about poverty and helping others.
'The pope encouraging people around the world to look out for people who are in need and to welcome people who are feeling alienated or marginalized and to make room for everybody in our society and in our church,' Bishop Sis said.
During this time of morning, people are stopping local churches to pay their respects.
'People are coming into the church thinking about him,' Father Frank Chavez said. 'Other people are buying candles. You know the beautiful thing about that is when they light the candles they are saying, I light this candle for you are now the light that is being attracted to a bigger light who is Jesus Christ.'
Around the world there are a lot of Catholic Churches having masses for Pope Francis. Here at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, they will be having a mass on Friday to dedicate prayers to the soul of Pope Francis at noon.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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