Pope Francis death leaves Boston Archbishop Richard Henning "deeply saddened"
Pope Francis died Monday at the age of 88, just a day after his final public appearance outside the Vatican on Easter Sunday.
Boston Archbishop Richard Henning said he was "deeply saddened" by the pope's passing. Pastors in the Archdiocese tolled their bells at 3 p.m. Monday for 15 minutes in honor of the pope.
Boston Archbishop reaction to Pope Francis death
"His legacy as Holy Father is broad and deep. In his ministry and across his writings he has continuously called us to deeper faith and to a more generous participation in the boundless compassion of God," Henning said in a statement Monday.
"He has challenged us to turn away from selfish impulses and towards communion with others and respect for God's creation. I am personally grateful that he called me to the Episcopacy and entrusted me with the pastoral care of the Church of Boston. His example remains a guiding light to the Universal Church. Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph, may he rest in peace."
Pope Francis named Henning the Archbishop of Boston in August of 2024. He replaced Cardinal Sean O'Malley, who retired.
O'Malley said in a statement that Francis "never lost faith in the mercy of God."
"Pope Francis was a sign and source of hope for people throughout the world particularly the forgotten, the poor, the sick and the voiceless," O'Malley said. "And it was most fitting that he was present with the faithful on Easter Sunday in St. Peter's Square as being close to the people of God is among his greatest gifts."
Francis became pope on March 13, 2013. During that conclave O'Malley's name had surfaced as a possible successor to Pope Benedict XVI. O'Malley is now 80 years old. According to the Archdiocese of Boston, only cardinals under the age of 80 can vote for the pope at the next conclave. However, O'Malley is still eligible to become pope.
"He never took a break"
"It's amazing that he worked right up to the very end. It's extraordinary," Boston College theology professor Thomas Groome said of Pope Francis.
"He never took a break. He simply went home to God, was his exit, which is certainly the case. He was just a wonderful pope, a marvelous pope, a great gift to the church and to the world."
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey said she joined "my fellow Catholics and people around the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis."
"His essence of compassion, humility and unbounded hope gave us joy, peace, direction and resolve. I am forever grateful for the honor to have met Pope Francis and been touched by his warmth, kindness and humor," Healey said in a statement.
"His life was a commitment to our sacred responsibility to care for others, especially the most vulnerable among us. In no other realm was that more evident than his dedication to climate, human rights, immigrant communities and the working poor. He strove to make the Church more inclusive and welcoming, and he led by reminding us of the dignity and worth of every person. His being will endure in the hearts of those he inspired. May he rest in eternal peace."
People head to church to mourn
People around Massachusetts mourned the death of Pope Francis. Some felt the need to go to church.
"Just go in and say a prayer and just think what a beautiful man," said Martin Polignone, a Catholic from Somerville.
"Very sad because we were just speaking of him yesterday at Easter dinner," said Catholic Doreen Mercola of Boston. "How he rebounded, they had him gone, but to be able to do Easter mass? It was a miracle."
Catholics remembered the pope as a very special man and said "his soul definitely went to heaven."
"[He] has had such an influence on my life. I've learned so much from them. Just very special to me," Polignone said.
"He was for the people. Really very humble, very down to earth. He never felt that he was above anyone, from when he was a cardinal," Mercola said.
Boston couple had marriage blessed by Pope Francis
Danielle and Vin Bartucca were married at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston three years ago. They, then ventured to Italy for their honeymoon, where Pope Francis blessed their marriage.
"It was an out of body experience. There's the anticipation, we're going to meet him next. I felt like I was kind of seeing myself from above. We had been waiting for it for months and months. We had rosary beads he blessed, and we gave them out to your family," Danielle explained.
"It was an unbelievable experience. Once in a lifetime," Vin said.
Danielle and Vin have since welcomed a baby girl, Eva, who shares a birthday with Pope Francis. The couple treasures their meeting with Pope Francis and says that his message of compassion inspires them in how they raise their daughter.
"He is so kind, he's so accepting, he's modernized the church so much. It was really important to us not only to meet the pope, but to meet this pope specifically, Pope Francis," Danielle explained.
