By Michael V. Cusenza
Pope Francis, the 266th pope and leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, died on Monday from complications caused by a celebral stroke, which led to coma and irreversible cardiac arrest. He was 88.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced on Monday. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
In 2015, Pope Francis’ motorcade rolled through Central Park.
City leaders reacted to the news out of The Vatican.
“I join Catholics across the world in mourning the passing of His Eminence Pope Francis,” City Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth) said. “His devotion to service, faith, and the most vulnerable among us left a lasting mark. May he rest in eternal peace.”
“As someone deeply connected to my faith and who represents a city of millions of Catholics, my visit to the Vatican to meet with and hear directly from Pope Francis last year was one of the most sacred and special moments of my life,” Mayor Eric Adams said. “Pope Francis led with kindness, grace, and faith as he helped build a better world and unite all people, regardless of their background. His decades of spreading peace and love will forever be remembered.”
Governor Kathy Hochul recalled how the Pontiff made a profound comment when she met him.
“He says, ‘God does not abandon any of his children.’ And that means he was fighting for the marginalized: members of the LGBTQ+ community, migrants, people who are impoverished, people who are in prison. Those were the ones that he gave God’s compassion to. That’s how I was raised as a Catholic, as a social justice Catholic. He was a man of peace but a fighter for justice, and we mourn his passing. May he rest in peace.”
