Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, died Monday at the Vatican. He was 88-years-old.
KNX News’ Jon Baird spoke with Father Michael Mesa, the associate pastor at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, about Francis’ passing.
“I know it's very surprising, very shocking,” he said. “But also very providential and beautiful that today as we or this week as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus this whole week…just the fact that our Holy Father has passed on to eternal life is quite beautiful but obviously very sad for us here who, just definitely mourn his presence and physical presence here in this world.”
Father Mesa also praised Pope Francis for his inclusivity.
“He was a pastor and a father in the greatest sense,” he said. “His whole mission was to reach out to those who felt in darkness or without hope and to just really experience just the love of Jesus and the love of God, and that was kind of his whole message, his whole way of being. He was such an amazing holy Father.”
L.A. City Councilman Monica Rodriguez was granted an audience with Francis twice and told L.A.’s Morning News that he was a pontiff for all Catholics.
“He was someone who really reflected, I think, the transformative change for the Catholic Church, to be more inclusive, to welcome everyone,” she said. “He had a remarkable tenure as pontiff. It’s Easter Monday, and it just all feels so very poetic and incredible and I just, remain incredibly thankful to have had those moments with him, and I will carry that with me always.”
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Archbishop José H. Gomez released a statement following the pope’s death, saying that he was “reflecting with gratitude on the Holy Father’s many kindnesses and expressions of pastoral care.”
“Over the years, he appointed seven auxiliary bishops to assist me in serving the family of God and he was always quick to show his spiritual closeness to us in our times of need,” the statement continued. “ It was just in January that he offered prayers and words of consolation as we faced the destruction caused by the wildfires in the Palisades and Altadena. I will never forget his fraternal comfort as we mourned the sudden taking of our beloved Bishop David O’Connell in 2023.”
A mass for Pope Francis will be held at 12:10 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
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