Death Of Pope Francis Draws Reactions From FL's Catholic Leaders, Churches, Schools

FLORIDA — Tributes to Pope Francis, who died Monday at age 88, poured in across Florida.

"(Casey) and I are saddened to hear of the passing of Pope Francis," Gov. Ron DeSantis said on social media. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Catholics in Florida and around the world, and we hope for a smooth transition for the Church. Rest in peace."

Bishop Gregory L. Parkes of the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg noted the pope's battle with respiratory illness in recent months.

"In recent days and weeks, he endured his own personal suffering with patience, and never lost his desire to be present to the flock he was called to shepherd,” Parkes said.

Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli Hospital this February for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.

The pope emerged from his convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile romp through the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause as he continued his recovery from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia.

“Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!” Francis said, his voice sounding stronger than it has since he was released from the hospital on March 23.

History’s first Latin American pontiff and also the first Jesuit elected to head the Roman Catholic Church, Francis charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor, the marginalized and migrants but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change.

The Holy Father named himself after St. Francis of Assisi in deference to the saint’s humility and commitment to the poor and his message of peace. He lived in a simple two-room suite at the Vatican guesthouse rather than the more luxurious Apostolic Palace.

The Archdiocese of Miami said in a news release that Pope Francis’ “legacy will be defined by a series of ‘firsts’: the first Jesuit Pope, the first Pope from the Americas, the first Pope to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress, and the first Pope to appoint women to high positions in the Roman Curia previously held only by male prelates.”

“We live, he said, not in an era of change but in the change of an era. Because scandals had undermined people’s trust in society’s institutions, whether political, academic, economical or religious, he defied the institutional ‘norms’ of the Papal court: he carried his valise, refused to be chauffeured in limousines, and eschewed symbols of pomp and circumstance, living not in the Apostolic Palace but in a room at the Vatican’s ‘hotel,’” the news release said. “In this way, he inspired many to give the Church a second look. And perhaps he was more highly regarded by those outside the Church than by many within the Church.”

Parkes statement on the pope’s passing noted:

“Today we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the Father in heaven. During his 12-year pontificate he taught us through word and example to share the joy of the Gospel, to go to the peripheries of society and the world to care for the poor and marginalized, and he taught us of the need to care for the environment,” Parkes said. “And most recently, he emphasized the need to be a synodal church which reaches out and values the contributions of many. In recent days and weeks, he endured his own personal suffering with patience, and never lost his desire to be present to the flock he was called to shepherd.”

Tampa Catholic High School shared the news of “the passing of our beloved Holy Father” on social media.

“His life of humility, compassion, and steadfast faith has been an inspiration to Catholics around the world,” school officials wrote in a Facebook post. “As we mourn this profound loss, we ask our school community to join together in prayer for the repose of his soul. May God, in His infinite mercy, grant Pope Francis eternal peace. Let us also pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the Church in the days ahead and to bless us with a new shepherd who will continue to lead us in faith, hope, and love.”

St. Martha Catholic Church in Sarasota also mourned his death in a social media post.

“We join the Church around the world in mourning the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. A shepherd to the faithful and servant of Christ, may he rest in God's eternal peace,” a social media post by St. Martha said.

Churches throughout the region will also hold Masses on Monday or open their doors who want to honor the pope.

St. Paul Catholic Church in Tampa wrote in a Facebook post that it “will remain open today (Monday) for the faithful to pray for the repose of the soul of the late Pope Francis.”

Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa will also open for a Mass at 12:10 p.m.

In St. Petersburg, St. Jude the Apostle Cathedral will hold a special Mass “for the repose of Pope Francis” at 11 a.m., according to a Facebook post.

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”

The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has offered prayers and condolences for Francis to his spiritual brothers, sisters and followers around the world.

He said in a letter that Francis had dedicated himself to the service of others, “consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life. The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can.”

The first formal liturgical ritual for Francis will occur at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Monday with the confirmation of the pope's death and the placement of the body in the coffin.

The Vatican released the announcement from Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the master of liturgical ceremonies. The presiding prelate is Cardinal Joseph Farrell, the camerlengo who has taken over the administration of the Holy See and will remain in charge until a new pope is elected.

Those invited to attend the ceremony, which will take place in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where Francis lived, are the dean of the College of Cardinals, any relatives of the pope, the director and vice director of the Vatican's health department.

The body rests in the pope's personal chapel for the ritual pronouncement of death, presided over by the camerlengo, the Vatican official who runs the Holy See administration between the death or resignation of one pope and the election of another.

For the public, the cardinal archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, is expected to lead a recitation of the Rosary prayer in St. Peter's Square later Monday.

According to the new rites and rituals Francis approved last year, the body will remain in the chapel for a few days before being brought for public viewing in St. Peter's Basilica. After that there will be the funeral and conclave to elect a new pope.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.