‘Many memories, many cherished memories': Kentucky priest shares stories about Pope Francis
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKRN) — Reactions poured in from around the world and right here at home on Monday following the death of Pope Francis.
'We just saw him yesterday going around the square meeting the vice president, extending Easter blessing, and then you wake up this morning and he's gone,' recalled Father Jim Sichko, a Papal Missionary of Mercy based in Lexington, Kentucky.
Photos: Pope Francis through the years
People from around the world woke up to the news of the pope's death Monday morning after what's considered to be the holiest day of the year in Catholicism.
'Many memories, many cherished memories, I could tell you story after story,' Sichko told News 2.
Father Jim Sichko is one of about a 1,000 priests from around the world to be appointed by Pope Francis to serve as a Papal of Missionary of Mercy. Part of the mission is doing random acts of kindness.
In 2024, Sichko offered to pay for Riley Strain's funeral costs. Strain's story captured national attention when he disappeared after a night out on Broadway and was found dead in the Cumberland River two weeks later.
'Here was a young vibrant individual and we all felt, what can we do?' Sichko told News 2 last year.
Pope Francis' last week: How the Catholic leader spent his final days
According to Sichko, serving others with humility and mercy is how Pope Francis lived his life.
'He was definitely what we would say the people's pope,' he said.
Sichko showed News 2 that last picture he took with the Francis — just two days before he was hospitalized.
'It was a great honor and what was so interesting was when I first met him nine years ago, one of the things I did was I brought a bottle of bourbon from Kentucky because that's part of who we are,' Sichko said.
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Over the last nine years, the two have had 58 encounters, with Sichko bringing the pontiff a bottle of bourbon during each meeting.
'He always says the same thing it's 'holy water, holy water,' Sichko said.
On Monday, President Trump signed an executive order to direct all federal and state flags to fly at half-staff in commemoration of Francis.
A funeral has yet to be determined by the cardinals but typically takes place four to six days after the pope's death.
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