When the world received the news of Pope Francis’ death on April 21, the impact was felt around the globe, including in eastern Wisconsin.
“[It is] with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, said in the official announcement. “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.”
As camerlengo, Farrell, a cardinal from the United States, will oversee all Vatican proceedings during a time of vacancy, known as the interregnum, which will occur until a new Pope is elected.
Bishop David Ricken of the Diocese of Green Bay said in a statement that while saddened by the loss, he is grateful for Francis’ papacy.
“His humility, great love and pastoral care for the marginalized and the poor and his commitment to interreligious dialogue are all hallmarks of his papacy,” Ricken said.
During his 12-year pontificate, Francis recorded several firsts. In addition to being the first Latin American and Jesuit to hold office, he was the first pope to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress, the first to call for civil union laws and approve ecclesiastical blessings for same-sex couples. He was also the first to visit Iraq, the Arabian Peninsula, Mongolia and Myanmar, the online Catholic magazine, The Pillar, noted.
Francis’ last public appearance was the day prior as the Christian Church celebrated Easter. The Pope appeared offering his traditional blessing from the balcony, before taking a final ride in the popemobile greeting the crowd. Due to a shortness of breath from recent illnesses, he had a cardinal offer his remarks and greetings.
“Thank you for bringing me back to the Square,” were his final words, spoken to his longtime nurse. Francis died of a stroke and coma, the death certificate notes.
The impacts are felt by Catholics around the world, including in Oshkosh.
“Pope Francis truly touched my heart in bringing me (and many of us) to the simplicity of our faith,” Father Tom Long, Pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel parish in Oshkosh, wrote in a message to parishioners. “What is most important is an encounter with Jesus and how we encounter one another.”
Michael Johnson said that he was surprised to wake up to the news. Especially because he was recently released from a 38-day hospitalization that had him grounded for in February and March.
“I was sad,” Johnson said. “Not like he was my neighbor or best friend, but because of the positive impacts he was trying to make on the world.”
Father Zach Weber, UW Oshkosh chaplain, said that, while naturally, we jump to the curiosity of who the new pope will be, it is important to mourn for Pope Francis.
“This is a new experience for a lot of us,” Weber said. “But the Church in her wisdom purposely gives us these nine days of prayer, to grieve and mourn.”
After the funeral took place on Saturday in the Vatican, the Catholic Church will observe what is called the novemdiales, a period of nine consecutive days of mourning, marked by Masses held in suffrage for the late Pope Francis. Eyes will then turn to a conclave.
The 135 cardinals under the age of 80 will hold an election to vote on the 267th successor of Saint Peter. The conclave is expected to start on May 7 and can last up to a few days and several votes. A two-thirds majority vote is required to be elected. While the new pope will begin immediately, a special inauguration Mass will take place days later.
10 cardinals will be participating from the U.S., and four cardinals have ties to Wisconsin. Two of whom live in the state for part of the year. Another seven cardinals from the U.S. are over the age of 80 but are expected to attend upcoming meetings in Rome.
As the conclave takes place in secret with the threat of excommunication for the electors, smoke is the sign of election results.
“If it’s black smoke, no pope,” Weber said. “If it’s white, Habemus Papam! (We have a pope!)”
