'Champion of world peace': Cincinnati archdiocese shares condolences on Pope Francis death

Yahoo

21-04-2025

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has issued a statement following the death of Pope Francis, 88, early Monday.
"Today, Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Cincinnati join Catholics and all people of faith around the world in praying for the soul of the Holy Father, Pope Francis," the diocesean statement reads.
The Archbishop of Cincinnati, Robert G. Casey, also released a statement.
"As we commend a good and faithful servant to God, let us remember that Pope Francis proclaimed 2025 as a Jubilee Year of Hope − awakening us to Christ, who is alive and present in our midst," Casey said.
Casey quoted Psalm 27:14, "Hope in the Lord! Hold firm, take heart, and hope in the Lord!"
Casey, who was installed this month to lead Greater Cincinnati's 400,000 Catholics, said, "May we, then, be filled with hope − hope that Pope Francis will receive the reward of a life poured out in selfless service and love for God's people and all creation; hope that Christ, who comforts us in our mourning, will send the Holy Spirit to be our Helper; and hope that this same Spirit will inspire and unite us as the Church to stand firm in faith, proclaiming the power of the Resurrection and the joy of the Gospel."
Pope Francis met with Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday, the day before his death. Vance, who has a home in East Walnut Hills, converted to Catholicism six years ago at a church in Greater Cincinnati.
Vance shared his condolences on the pope's death: "I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill."
Vance, who clashed with Francis in the past over immigration, complimented the homily he gave in the early days of the pandemic. "It was really quite beautiful," Vance said.
The frail but determined Francis greeted thousands in St. Peter's Square after Easter Mass in his open-air popemobile, just five weeks after a hospital stay.
Archbishop Emeritus of Cincinnati, Dennis M. Schnurr, also released a statement:
'Please join me in praying for the repose of the soul of our beloved Pope Francis, who was Vicar of Christ, the successor of St. Peter and a faithful shepherd of Christ's Church. The Holy Father will long be remembered for his great compassion for the elderly, the sick, the unborn, the persecuted and all those on the margins of society. He continuously reminded us that we are the stewards of God's creation and not its master. And he was an unwavering champion of world peace. After a life dedicated to proclaiming the Good News of our Lord's saving love for us, may Pope Francis now inherit the reward of eternal rest with God.'
The 266th pope, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires to Italian immigrant parents, was the first pope from the Americas and the first born outside of Europe in over a millennia.
Contributing: USA Today
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Pope Frances dies: Cincinnati archdiocese, JD Vance issue statements