Austin Catholic community mourns death of Pope Francis
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The news of Pope Francis' passing is widespread Monday morning. Argentine-born Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as Pope in 2013.
Many Catholic schools and church offices were already closed for Easter Monday and had previously planned mass services throughout the day.
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'After an important day for the church on [Sunday] to hear of his passing was sad for the whole church,' Carla Sanchez said as she left an early Monday morning mass. 'I think he did so much for the church and we should be forever grateful.'
Father James Misko, who is serving as Diocesan Administrator in Austin, will be celebrating noon mass at Saint Mary Catholic Cathedral 'for the repose of the soul of the holy father.' Saint Mary, located in downtown Austin off 10th Street, is the mother church for the Diocese of Austin.
Misko issued the following statement:
Brothers and sisters: As we hear of the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, we unite in prayerful thanksgiving for his just over 12 years of faithful service to the Universal Church as the successor to St. Peter. Ever devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and with her intercession, his commitment to social justice and a deep care for the poor and those on the peripheries of society will remain among his many legacies. The first pontiff from the Americas, Pope Francis brought a new perspective to the papacy, humbly saying to the crowds in St. Peter's square the night of his election, 'It seems that my brother cardinals have gone to the ends of the earth to get one (a Pope), but here we are'.
I ask the people of the Diocese of Austin to join in prayer with the Universal Church and all people of goodwill to express our gratitude to God for the life of Pope Francis. We pray that our Holy Father, who has been received in the arms of our Lord will now rest from his earthly labors and hear the words, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant (Mt. 25:21).' Through the intercession of Mary, under her title of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, we ask that God receive Pope Francis into his presence forever.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
The Diocese of Austin is currently without a Bishop, as of March 25. Its former Bishop, Joe Vasquez, is now the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston. Since the Pope appoints new Bishops to a diocese, Vasquez's replacement in Austin will be prolonged until the new Pope is appointed.
The Diocese of Austin said there are more than 700,000 Catholics in the Central Texas area. The diocese covers a wide area from Bell County to San Marcos and College Station.
The diocese posted on Facebook early Monday in remembrance of Pope Francis.
'Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013. Today, we mourn his passing,' the post said. 'Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.'
In 2022, the Pope blessed the Diocese of Austin for its 75th anniversary.
This story will be updated. Check back for more.
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