Minnesota faith leaders, politicians react to Pope Francis' death: "A voice for the voiceless"
Remembrances from Minnesota leaders are coming out following the death of Pope Francis Monday morning.
Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church who strove to change its perception across the globe, died at the age of 88. He had been suffering from significant health issues recently, including pneumonia in both lungs.
"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," Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, said as part of a formal announcement.
Francis last month celebrated his 12th year as pontiff.
Minnesota leaders react
Following Francis' death, Archbishop Bernard Hebda, head of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, announced he will lead a special mass Monday at noon at the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Francis' honor.
"I will always be grateful to Pope Francis for assigning me to serve as the Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis," Hebda said. "I have fond memories this day of all the times that he assured me of his prayers for this Archdiocese."
The Saint Paul Seminary posted a statement, saying Francis' "life of service, humility, and tireless dedication to the Gospel has left an indelible mark on the Church and the hearts of millions."
Father Daniel Griffith, pastor and rector of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, says a private prayer will be held in the basilica on Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. At 11:50 a.m., the basilica's bells will also sound 12 times, one for each year of Francis' reign, followed by a toll.
"Pope Francis was beloved by the community of The Basilica and inspired by his message of God's inclusive welcome and embrace — a message we integrate into our liturgies and parish life," Griffith said.
Bishop Robert Barron of the diocese of Winona-Rochester in a post on X called Francis a "man of simplicity, compassion and deep concern for those on the margins of our society."
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he and first lady Gwen Walz will join "Catholics and Christian around the world in mourning" the loss of Francis.
"Pope Francis led by example, centering his life and papacy on being a voice for the less fortunate. He inspired us all to better embody the teachings of Christ: love, compassion, and justice," Walz said on X.
Tom Emmer, majority whip of the U.S. House, was among the first prominent Minnesota politicians to react to Francis' death.
"Jacquie and I are saddened to hear of the passing of Pope Francis this morning. May God rest his soul," Emmer said in a post on X.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar also released a statement that said "we will greatly miss the Pope" and called him a "voice for the voiceless."
"The one time I saw him pray for and address the gathered at St. Peter's Square, when he finished he did what he always did — he greeted and blessed those with disabilities first," Klobuchar said in the post on X.
Francis died just a day after a surprise appearance outside the Vatican on Easter Sunday. That same day, Francis briefly met with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who was in Rome with his family for Easter celebrations. Vance, a recent Catholic convert, noted how the pontiff was "obviously very ill."
"My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him," Vance said in a post on X.
In February, Francis criticized the Trump administration's immigration and deportation polices, saying they violate human dignity.
Who will become the next pope?
Francis will be honored in an ancient, nine-day morning period at the Vatican called the Novemdiales. Rules state his funeral must be held no later than six days after his death, in a ceremony that will likely take place outside in St. Peter's Square.
Going against tradition, Francis asked to be buried a few miles east of Vatican City, in a simple wooden casket, inside Rome's St. Mary Major Basilica.
About three weeks after his funeral, 135 cardinals will be sealed inside the Sistine Chapel to begin the papel conclave, where they will cast ballots until a candidate emerges with two-thirds-plus-one majority.
After each round of voting that doesn't yield that majority, the cardinals' paper ballots are burned, sending black smoke out of a chimney. Once a majority is reached, white smoke will pour out to signal the selection of a new pontiff.
