Diocese of Cleveland leaders, parishioners reflect on death of Pope Francis

Yahoo

21-04-2025

CLEVELAND (WJW) – One day after feeling the joy brought by Easter Sunday, Catholics across the world are mourning the death of Pope Francis, who died after suffering a stroke Monday morning at 7:35 a.m.
In Cleveland, mass was dedicated to the first Latin American pontiff, a time for leaders to honor his legacy and unite.
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'We as a community of faith gather together in both sorrow and in joy,' Bishop Michael Woost told parishioners on Monday. 'In sorrow, for our heavenly father Pope Francis, for whom this mass is being offered today, as we join together in prayer. But also in joy, for the gift that God gave us in our Holy Father, and for the gift our Holy Father has received in this Easter season, being embraced into the fullness of Christ's resurrection.'
Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic issued a statement on the passing of Pope Francis remembering when the two met earlier this year.
'I was blessed to see Pope Francis in January in Rome and passed along the best wishes and prayers of the faithful from the diocese of Cleveland,' Malesic said. 'This was a highlight of a pilgrimage I led to Italy, during which our group was among those who enjoyed an audience with the pope. He responded, 'Ah, Cleveland,' so you can be sure he knew about our exceptional diocese.'
Father Damian Ference said he will always remember how Pope Francis was a servant leader, keeping the poor at the front of mind amid his 12-year papacy.
'He was from a very poor area of the world,' Ference said. 'And so that was constantly his mindset. He had the poor on his mind and those on the peripheries and those on the margins of society. And he wanted to make sure that they were never forgotten. So that was a very important part of his mission and his ministry.'
Ference said this is a difficult time, but also is a great chance for the church to unite.
'I'm certainly grieving and sad that he has passed, but I also have great hope in the power of the resurrection,' he said. 'So, death is not the final end.'
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Parishioners like Mike Shaughnessy say they knew Pope Francis didn't have long, due to recent health issues. Shaughnessy is part of the Papal Foundation, a group that travels to Rome each year to meet with the Pope and ask for prayers and blessings for those struggling in Northeast Ohio. His next trip was planned this week, departing on Friday, providing a chance to witness history and say goodbye to 'the people's Pope.'
'It's inevitable,' Shaughnessy said. 'It's going to happen to all of us. I think he led a wonderful life and I think he was a good example for all of us. And I'm hopeful the next Pope will be as charming and as gifted as this Pope.'
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