CAPTION: Pope Francis, 88, died Mon. Apr. 21, 2025. CREDIT: The Holy See
By Richard Shank
Early morning television newscasts reported Sunday on Pope Francis’ participation in Easter Sunday services in Vatican City within Rome. The extent of the Pope’s activities was surprising because the 88-year-old Pontiff was still recovering from respiratory issues, which had previously hospitalized him for over a month. At one point, the Pope even delivered a short speech to an estimated crowd of 100,000.
Father Jerome Spexarth, pastor of Holy Cross and St. Theresa parishes in Hutchinson, noted the good news in his 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning sermon at Holy Cross. The following morning, the same news programs reported that the Pope had become ill suddenly at 5:30 a.m. (Rome time) Monday, and moments later, passed away.
Although the passing was not totally unexpected for the 88-year-old church leader, four Hutchonians who are active church members were shocked and saddened and unanimous in their praise for the late Pope.
Dr. Tom Smith noted the Pope never acted like a prince. “The way he lived and his writings spoke of things central to the Lord,” Dr. Smith said. “He will be greatly missed.”
“Pope Francis was accepting and tolerant to everyone,” Dr. Smith continued. “I hope his successor will be much like Pope Francis.”
“He was a proponent of social justice and visited refugee camps,” Dr. Smith continued. “He even worked with gang members to urge them to change their lives.”
Carol Berger said it was sad to read of Pope Francis’ death Monday morning. “In our world, it seems we have few voices for peace, love of all people, and devotion to the care of our beautiful planet,” Berger said.
“He demonstrated compassion, had a heart for social justice and taught the importance of inclusion. May Pope Francis rest in peace.”
Retired physician Dr. Jack Wortman dubbed the late Pope “a remarkable man.”
“He was a very special person and was for the common person. The Pope was a man of the people and lived a simple life,” Wortman continued. “During his earlier life, in Argentina, he came in contact with a lot of poor people who needed help.”
I asked Dr. Wortman, “What kind of person do you feel would be a good replacement for Pope Francis?”
“I hope that someone just like Pope Francis will be the next Pope, someone who has a strong feeling for common people,” Dr. Wortman responded.
A Wednesday afternoon interview with Father Eric Weldon, Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in South Hutchinson, produced much food for thought regarding the late Pope.
“When Pope Francis was elected, I was very excited that he came from the Western Hemisphere,” Father Weldon said. “60 percent of the church (members) speak Spanish, and I told my secretary at the time that the next Pope would be from Argentina or Mexico. Also, he was the first member of the Jesuits called to the Papacy. And, it happened.”
Father Weldon said Pope Francis had a personal spirituality rooted in the awareness of being a sinner redeemed in Christ. “This was his great source of joy,” Father Weldon said. “He wanted everyone to experience Jesus’ mercy and love, which flows from the heart. This was why he was so focused on accompaniment. He wanted to walk with others to Christ and described the church as a ‘field hospital.”
He showed this accompaniment when he had his driver stop the car so he could walk among the poorest people in Rome.”
Father Weldon went on to say that many people admired him for this reason. “He tried to listen to voices who thought they were ignored, and this created media attention and spin,” Father Weldon said. “The Pope is always a shepherd, which means a leader.”
Father Weldon said Pope Francis expressed his personal spirituality well in a document entitled “He loved Us,” which speaks of the love from the heart of Jesus. “I am not sure he listened to all corners and vast lands of the church,” Father Weldon said. “The next Pope need not be concerned with ideas that seem palatable to world leaders and NGOs. Rather, he needs to listen to a wide variety of bishops and recognize where the fruit is being born in the church around the world. The Spirit will continue to work.”
Pope Francis was the 266th Pope in the more than 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church. Saint Peter is recorded as the church’s first Pope.
A conclave of 200 Catholic Cardinals from throughout the world will convene May 5 to start the process of electing the church’s 267th Pope who will assume the Papacy immediately following his election.
