Pope Francis died on Monday morning at the age of 88 due to a stroke and heart failure. People around the world mourned and paid tribute to the leader who made an impact on the Catholic community.
Pope Francis was born in Argentina. He was the first pontiff from Latin America and was recognized as a compassionate and inclusive leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Many knew him for his progressive views: as an advocate for immigrants and climate action on the global stage, and for being supportive toward LGBTQ members of the church.
Catholic Angelenos gathered on Monday to grieve at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Downtown Los Angeles.
Domitila Alvarez is one parishioner who attended the service. She expressed her admiration for Catholic leaders who look out for disadvantaged people.
“For me as a Catholic, there were two Popes in the whole world, John Paul II and Francis, who were very good, always praying for the poor,” said Alvarez in Spanish.
Marta Trujillo said she drove an hour and a half from Bakersfield to attend a Mass honoring the Pope.
“To wake up and learn that he is no longer here, that he is with the Lord, yes, you truly do feel sadness,” said Trujillo.
She also took comfort in the Pope’s vocal support of immigrants.
“He was saying that we should not lose our faith, that for immigrants who feel persecuted, to maintain our faith,” Trujillo said. “And I think that made him even more special.”
Pope Francis long held critical views of the Trump administration’s treatment of immigrants. On Easter Sunday, he met briefly with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. Afterward, the pope made his final public appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis publicly called for peace during his reign at the Vatican.
Cardinal Blase Cupich, Chicago’s Archbishop, echoed this sentiment in an interview with CNN.
“When he spoke to the joint session of Congress in the United States, he was very clear in saying and challenging us, let’s remember everybody. We’re all immigrants here in this country... the greatest Memorial we can have is to make sure that we carry on the vision that he has given us,” Cupich said.
Farrell is the Vatican’s de facto administrator until the new Pope is chosen.