Local spiritual leaders react to Pope Francis’ death

Pope Francis hugs a young boy during his weekly General Audience on August Courtesy of Vatican News After the Vatican broadcasted that Pope Francis the first non-European head of the Roman Catholic Church in more than a millennium and a champion of the poor and disenfranchised local spiritual leaders responded with accolades regarding his leadership and his refusal to embrace the trappings of wealth long associated with Vatican leaders Cardinal Kevin Farrell a top Vatican official released the death of Pope Francis on April from the Casa Santa Marta on Monday morning Gregory J Hartmayer the Archibishop of Atlanta issued a report on the pope s death saying that the doctors at the Gemelli Clinic where Francis was being treated broadcasted that he nearly died on two occasions However he rallied and was discharged to his residence at the Vatican Hartmayer reported Since his return to his home we saw Pope Francis making several surprise appearances over the past couple of weeks to pray at the tomb of Pope St Pius X the secondary patron of the Archdiocese of Atlanta to pray before the icon of the Favored Virgin Mary at the Basilica of St Mary Major in thanksgiving for his release from hospital his meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Casa Santa Maria and his final meeting on Easter Sunday with our own Vice President J D Vance Bishop Joel M Konzen who was appointed by Francis as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Atlanta in and formerly served twice as Brookhaven s Marist School as its president explained the Georgia Bulletin the newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta that Francis was the perfect example of a humble servant He used terms such as encounter relationship social charity fraternity friendship He emphasized the absolute necessity of connecting no matter our role in the Church with others directly so that we might embody the challenge of Jesus in the gospel and seek to perfect our discipleship Konzen disclosed It mattered to him that we were trying to walk the walk and he was time and again going to show us the way Sen Raphael Warnock had a papal meeting with Francis in April Courtesy of Raphael Warnock U S Sen Reverend Raphael Warnock D-GA circulated a declaration after the announcement of Pope Francis death I m deeply saddened by the passing of Pope Francis As a longtime admirer of the Pope and his work to center the poor and marginalized I was honored to meet him and pray with him last year Warnock stated I join all those across the world mourning his death and celebrating his remarkable life Fr Jude Michael Krill the pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church on Chamblee-Tucker Road shared a message that was sent out to the church s congregants on April God we come before you with heavy hearts as we learn of the passing of Pope Francis your servant and our Holy Father the message mentioned We acknowledge the sorrow that fills us and we entrust his soul to your loving care We thank you for the life of Pope Francis for his unwavering dedication to the Gospel his tireless system to the Church and his compassionate heart for the poor and marginalized Krill mentioned he remembers the pope s calls for peace his advocacy for justice and his gentle spirit that touched so a large number of lives Help us to live as Pope Francis taught us with humility compassion and a deep love for all your children Lord in your mercy grant him eternal rest May he now rejoice in your presence the message concluded Father Jude Michael pastor of Dunwoody s All Saints Catholic Church disclosed Francis a Jesuit with a Franciscan heart taught us by his words and especially by his example how to follow the Lord who loved the marginalized and outcast He reminded us that the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth are intimately linked Michael explained His humble way inspired us not to seek fame and glory but to completely follow the Lord s will without much pomp He invited us to see the Church as a Field Hospital for all sinners not a Country Club for the perfect Michael continued Who am I to judge set the tone for his Pontificate Rev Monsignor Francis G McNamee Rector at Cathedral of Christ the King in Buckhead published this report We were saddened and surprised by the Holy Father s passing We felt that in multiple methods medically he had turned a corner When he was discharged from hospital he was very much slowly coming back to scheduling small events especially during the last week and the fact that he made an appearance at St Peter s and went to visit the prisoners on Holy Thursday He was very much present to the church and to his people and desired to be with them We re saddened with his passing but we know that he s going out to enjoy his eternal reward and he s at peace the message explained There s no more suffering and he s gone to the Father s house Latin American Association CEO Santiago Marquez declared the world has lost a giant with the death of Pope Francis calling him a tireless champion for the poor the marginalized and the forgotten He washed the feet of lepers and chose the company of the unhoused and refugees over that of the well-to-do His legacy is one of institution compassion and profound moral courage The post Local spiritual leaders react to Pope Francis death appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta