The Hudson Valley Reacts To The Death Of Pope Francis

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Tributes to Pope Francis, who died Monday at age 88, poured in from across the Hudson Valley and beyond.

"I join Catholics around the world in mourning the loss of His Holiness Pope Francis," New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. "Pope Francis embodied the values Christ taught us every day: helping the less fortunate, calling for peace and ensuring every person is treated as a child of God. He led with compassion, humility and inclusivity, emphasizing that God does not disown any of his children. He reminded us of our collective responsibility to protect this beautiful planet, our shared home. And he was a man of peace, and a fighter for social and economic justice."

Hochul added: "Last year, I was honored to be invited to the Vatican to deliver remarks at a Pontifical Summit to discuss climate change. His Holiness delivered a remarkable address, calling on the world to save our planet and take care of the most vulnerable in our society. He then spoke individually to each of the leaders assembled, and blessed Bill and I on the occasion of our 40th wedding anniversary. It is a moment I will never forget. We should all strive to carry on his legacy. May His Holiness rest in peace."

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 news rocked The Hudson Valley:

"The world mourns the passing of a truly extraordinary and compassionate leader—His Holiness, Pope Francis," Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said in a statement reacting to the news. "As the first Jesuit pope, he brought with him a deep spiritual and intellectual legacy grounded in humility, love and service to others. He reminded us all that faith and progress are not mutually exclusive—that caring for the poor and embracing one another across lines of difference are not just ideals, but moral imperatives. As a proud graduate of Fordham Preparatory School, a Jesuit institution, I feel a deep connection to the values Pope Francis embodied: a commitment to justice, the pursuit of truth, and the belief that love and unity must guide our actions. We are grateful for his life, his leadership and the enduring example he leaves behind. May we honor his memory by carrying his message of compassion and inclusion forward."

"My heart breaks along with the millions around the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis," Rockland County Executive Ed Day said. "As a spiritual leader, he was a beacon of humility, compassion, and unwavering faith. His papacy was marked by a deep commitment to serving the poor, advocating for peace, and bridging divides between people of all backgrounds and beliefs. Pope Francis inspired countless individuals through his words and actions, calling on us to care for one another, to protect our planet, and to lead lives rooted in love and understanding. His legacy will continue to guide generations to come."

"I join with people all over the world, not only Catholics, but people of all faiths or none at all, in mourning the passing of our beloved Pope Francis this morning," Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan Archbishop of New York said in a statement. "How appropriate that his last public appearance was on Easter Sunday as we celebrated the joy of the resurrection of Jesus whom Pope Francis loved so deeply and so well, and right after our Jewish brothers and sisters, for whom Pope Francis had such great love, concluded their celebration of Passover."

"I was honored to participate in the conclave that elected Pope Francis in 2013, and to have welcomed him here to New York in 2015," Cardinal Dolan said. "He touched us all with his simplicity, with his heart of a humble servant. Trusting in the tender and infinite mercy of Jesus, we pray that he is, even now, enjoying his eternal reward in heaven."

"Today, the Westchester County Board of Legislators joins in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, whose profound impact extends far beyond the Catholic Church to touch people of all faiths and backgrounds worldwide," the Westchester County Board of Legislators said in a statement. "Pope Francis reached across divides to connect with people and spoke plainly about the need to work together – our biggest challenge. As we honor his remarkable legacy, we recommit ourselves to fostering these same values of universal respect and compassion in our community."

"At such a joyous time of year for myself and other Catholics, it comes as a particularly hard blow to learn that Pope Francis has died," Rockland County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. said. "Just yesterday he was celebrating the most holy day of the year for all Christians, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, whom he so lovingly served. Pope Francis is admired by people across the world because he was a compassionate and humble servant of the people who cared for all of humanity - no matter their faith. He made people feel welcome and seen, and while no person is perfect, Pope Francis embraced the poor and the marginalized while also calling out the behaviors that he felt ran contrary to the definition of what it means to be a Catholic, a Christian, and a Human Being. Pope Francis was 88 but neither age nor illness seemed to truly slow him down. Contained within him was a fire and a love of God and Jesus Christ and People. He has gone to the 'House of the Father,' but he has left all the world better for our time with him. May He Rest In Eternal Peace."

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.

• Related: Pope Francis Dies At Age 88: The Latest

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.