Local leaders react, make plans to remember Pope Francis
DENVER (KDVR) — Easter symbolizes the renewal of life, and Monday morning, the Catholic Church is mourning the loss of its leader.
It's a new chapter for the Catholic Church, as Pope Francis passed away overnight. He suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man. His cause of death will be determined by a report expected later, but he spent significant time in the hospital recently.
He was admitted to a hospital in Italy back on Feb. 14, where he stayed for 38 days, originally for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia.
Francis was the pope for 12 years.
Father Sam Morehead at the Cathedral Basilica watched as the Denver Fire Department helped drape the black bunting over the front of the church along Colfax. It signifies a period of mourning for the church.
'We were prepared, because when the Holy Father was so sick and in the hospital for the extended period of time, we were getting word that it was a very serious illness. We all know now that his doctors didn't think he would pull through it. So just to be prudent, we started putting together the supplies between the cloth and the things that we'll find in the Cathedral Basilica itself to prepare for this. All of it was in a back closet in my room. And then when I got the news this morning, I said, well, the time is common. We have to start mourning the Pope. And I've already been hugging crying parishioners who've been down here already this morning to pray for the Pope,' said Morehead.
Pope Francis dies at 88
Several local leaders released statements on Francis' death, which you can read in their entirety below.
The Archdiocese of Denver sent a statement to FOX31 on Francis' passing, saying:
Today, Easter Monday, as the Church continues to rejoice in Christ's resurrection, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, was called to the house of the Father. Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, Archbishop of Denver, reflects on the Holy Father's life, saying, 'Bishop Jorge Rodriguez and I are grateful to God for Pope Francis' powerful example of humility, prayer and service to the Church for the past 12 years. From the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2015, to his prayer in St. Peter's Square during COVID, to this ordinary Jubilee of Hope this year, from his weekly Angelus messages to his encyclicals and writings, he continually called us to encounter Jesus Christ, to accompany others as Christ did, with mercy and tenderness, and to draw near to the Father's heart in this apostolic age. His special emphasis on seeking out the lost and marginalized has encouraged many to encounter Jesus, who is our Savior, the Way, the Truth and the Life. As we mourn his passing, may we remember his call to preach the Gospel courageously, joyfully and full of hope. Yesterday as we celebrated Easter, Pope Francis reminded us, 'All those who put their hope in God place their feeble hands in his strong and mighty hand; they let themselves be raised up and set out on a journey. Together with the risen Jesus, they become pilgrims of hope, witnesses of the victory of love and of the disarmed power of Life.' Let us be those who set outon mission to proclaim Jesus Christ Risen to our world! Please join Bishop Rodriguez and me in praying for Pope Francis' peaceful repose in the hands of the Father. May he and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.''
Archdiocese of Denver
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis also released a statement on X:
Today we mourn the passing of @Pontifex Pope Francis. A force for healing and love, Pope Francis, formerly Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first new world pope and was known for his pastoral kindness and compassion.'
Colorado Governor Jared Polis
There will be a special Mass intention at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver at 1530 Logan St. on Monday at 12:10 p.m. Before that, the funeral bells will toll for one hour starting at 11 a.m. Inside at 11:30 a.m. parishioners can pray the rosary for Francis.
What are the rites and rituals after a pope dies?
Then, there will be a special Mass on the day of Francis' funeral at the cathedral. The time and day of that are yet to be determined.
According to the Associated Press, those at the Vatican will pay their final respects, and the cause of Francis' death will be determined.
Then, the body rests in the pope's personal chapel for the ritual pronouncement of death.
Then, the governing authority of the Catholic Church, called the Holy See, will work to elect another leader.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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