After the Vatican announced the death of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, early in the morning, world officials and southern California cried the head of the Catholic church who was known for his humility and his inclusive points of view – sometimes controversial.
The late Saint-Père, member of the Jesuit Order, was 88 years old.
“Pope Francis saw God in all his creatures, reminding us of the obligations of humanity with each other and the world in which we live, asking us to” take care of each other and to admire the guards of creation, “shared the governor of California Gavin Newsom in a press release.
“While we mourn his holiness, we honor it by choosing to believe that a better world is possible by grace and kindness, and by communion with our neighbors, regardless of our differences.”
Local officials of the Hispanic Caucus of Congress (CHC), which includes the Norma Torres representative (CA-35), among others, were “deeply saddened by the passage of Pope Francis, another Latino who inspired millions and spoke for empathy and civility”.
“Francis gave the example of the delivery of humanity where others brought a dark ambition to the table. We will remember his courage to lower global ideological trends that seek to separate and oppress the most vulnerable. ”
The Archbishop of Los Angeles José H. Gomez prayed for fire the pope, noting that his death occurred in “the beautiful Easter season … When we celebrate our hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ”.
“Right now, I find myself thinking with gratitude on the many nice and expressions of the Holy Father of Pastoral for us here in Los Angeles,” Gomez said in a press release.
Gomez recalled the Pope’s help to appoint the auxiliary bishops to help serve the immense archdiocese of Los Angeles, offering prayers and consolation after the Forest Fires of Los Angeles, and his “fraternal comfort” after the sudden death of Bishop David O’Connell in 2023.
He asked the faithful to follow the Pope’s mission to respect life, take care of the environment, the poor, migrants and “all forgotten on the” peripheries “of society.
“In this period of mourning, my prayer is that all of us in the Church will honor the heritage of Pope Francis, reminding us that he called us to urgent tasks that are still not over,” he said.
The Archbishop will celebrate a midday mass honoring the pope at the cathedral of Notre-Dame des Anges in downtown Los Angeles.
In a joint declaration, the three bishops of the diocese of Orange also cried the loss, saying that Francis was a “shepherd who embodied the gospel”.
“Like Pope Saint John Paul II, he was called to eternal life during the Easter Octave-the Lord’s resurrection. His most recent encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Rope Amoris (Delixit NOS), is particularly appropriate to read and think at that time,” said Bishop Kevin Vann. “And throughout its papacy, its faithful witness as a shepherd – in particular in the face of physical struggles – has remained a powerful example for all of us.”
The two Senators of California also paid tribute.
“Pope Francis was humbly walking, fortunately loved and continued justice with God – not only in words, but in action,” said senator Adam Schiff. He sought to heal a world too often fractured by hatred. »»
Senator Alex Padilla said that Francis “had led and lived by example, with humility and compassion for all”. It was inspired by the efforts of the late Pope “to challenge traditions and reform the Catholic Church to make it more welcoming and inclusive”.
“His plea for migrants and for world peace will leave a resounding impact,” added Padilla. “May we continue to inspire us from his leadership to protect the world we live in and the most vulnerable in our society.”
The representative Dave Min, D -IRVINE, called Francis as a “love, truth and empathy – values that are increasingly rare today. Pope Francis was not only a great leader, he was a moral conscience for the world. ”
Representative Linda Sanchez, D-Whittier, echoed the feelings, saying that the message of Francis “of compassion, humility and care of the less wealthy resonated far beyond the church”.
Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Los Angeles, also called Francis “a leader in great moral courage”.
“Whether it is the most vulnerable of us, promoting a more inclusive church or the recovery of historical wrongs, Pope Francis has always led compassion, humility and a deep commitment to faith. That it rests in peace. “
It is a story in development. Come back for updates.
California Daily Newspapers
