Catholics in East Tennessee mourn death of Pope Francis
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Catholics around the world, including right here in East Tennessee, are mourning the death of Pope Francis.
The Vatican announced Pope died Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke that put him into a coma and led to heart failure. His death came one day after making an appearance at Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square and meeting with Vice President J.D. Vance.
Diocese of Knoxville releases statement after Pope Francis's death
'I was shocked because my husband came and told me this morning and my first comment was I thought he was doing so much better, so it really took me by surprise,' Lisa Morris, sacristan at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. 'When I started reading different things, especially what Cardinal Dolan had said that his death couldn't have been choregraphed more perfectly, the fact that he had been so sick, then really recovered to certain extent and then do then Easter go through St. Peter's yesterday.'
Pope Francis was elected Pope in 2013, becoming the first leader of the Catholic Church from Latin America.
'We are deeply saddened to hear the passing of our Holy Father Pope Francis earlier today,' Diocese of Knoxville Director of Communications John Mecklenborg. 'He's been a spiritual leader for us since 2013 and he's really teaches us everyday how to be closer to Christ.'
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As the world mourns, all eyes now turn on who will be the next leader. Cardinals under the age of 80 will gather for the conclave, which usually happens 15 to 20 days following the Pope's death.
'We are people of the faith and hope so after that time of you know the mourning and knowing he's in a better place and with us in spirit to look forward in hope to the new pope,' Morris said. 'That'll be the work of the Holy Spirit, we believe firmly that the Holy Spirit comes upon the Cardinals in the conclave and we'll have a new Pope.'
Until that time, the world will continue to grieve the Pontiff's passing.
How is the next pope selected?
'I saw the suffering that he was enduring, the great pain, the pain of carrying the church, the pain of carrying the world in our spiritual battle,' Dorothy Curtis, sacristan at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. 'Now, he is in peace and the battle is over for him.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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