‘Merciful,’ ‘revolutionary’ Pope Francis mourned by faithful
‘Merciful,’ ‘revolutionary’ Pope Francis mourned by faithful throughout Southern California
Local Catholics mourning the death of Pope Francis are paying their respects to the beloved Latin American pontiff, who was known for his compassionate — at times polarizing — views on issues from immigration and LGBTQ+ inclusion, to climate change and support for vaccinations.
Vatican officials announced Francis’ death early Monday, April 21, at 88 years old. The 266th pontiff was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and became the first Pope for the Americas whose native language was Spanish.
The faithful from around Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire expressed their sorrow, and prayed for clarity in the divinely inspired process of electing the next leader of the Holy See.