Illinois Leaders React To Death Of Pope Francis

ILLINOIS — Tributes to Pope Francis, who died Monday at age 88, poured in across the state from Cardinal Blase Cupich and other state leaders.

"In this moment of profound loss for me personally and for the Church, I take this moment to express our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the gift of his papacy and to pray for the repose of his soul," Cupich, who Francis appointed archbishop of Chicago in 2014, said in a statement.

Francis made Cupich a cardinal in 2016, which allows him to help elect the next pope.

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.

"His gifts, which are many, included living a life of humble service, loving everyone, was very approachable, compassionate, and had this outreach to the less fortunate, including the poor, the hungry, the exiled, the forgotten, the unborn, the persecuted, and the list goes on and on," Bishop Ronald Hicks, Diocese of Joliet, said.

"We have lost the messenger, but we must hold fast to the message of Pope Francis to love and respect one another," U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said in a social media post. "In a world of hate and fear, Pope Francis’ message of peace and understanding is needed now more than ever."

"Pope Francis led with humility, compassion, and courage — transcending borders and faiths in his call to serve the least among us," Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8) said. "May Catholics and all who mourn his passing take comfort in knowing his legacy of peace and justice will endure. May he rest in eternal peace."

The Archdiocese of Chicago's Kolbe House jail ministry released a statement on Pope Francis' outreach to the incarcerated:

"Why them and not I?" It's what Pope Francis asked himself every time he left a prison. The last time was only four days before he died. For the incarcerated, he was "Our Pope." No one loved people in custody more than he. His passing leaves us grieving a death in our family. We are grateful for his raising up of those who live on the world's margins. We are comforted by the knowledge that we have another patron in heaven."

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.