BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – With Pope Francis’ death (age 88) on April 21, 2025, the world lost a fearless global visionary who reformed the Catholic Church.
The Argentine-born Pontiff transcended religious boundaries with his humility, unwavering compassion for the poor, and as a social justice defender.
The world is mourning for the Pope. Though he was sick for some time, his loss has devastated the faithful.
“It’s kind of beautiful that he passed away on Monday after Easter, because we’re just entering into our Easter season when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It’s a reminder that our life goes on beyond this life in this world,” said St. Francis de Sales Church’s Father Leonard Smith.
For a retired Protestant Navy chaplain who loved the Pope, during Holy Week he used his devotional and enjoyed his reflections on Matthew 25.
“If you do it to the least of these, you do it to our savior, Jesus Christ. It touched my heart, and I was sad this morning when my grandson woke me and (shared the news) the Pope has died,” George Cooper said. “But I’m so glad he was a testimony to all Christians that we follow in the footsteps of Jesus.”
The Pontiff’s Easter homily focused on finding the presence of the Lord in others.
“I think that was one of the things he really excelled at, encouraging Christians to, by the example of his own life, go to those on the margins and try to bring the good news of the gospel to those who are suffering,” said Father Leonard.
Devoted followers respected the Pope for his understanding of human fragility.
“We knew he was sick, but we just hate to see it end like this,” Columbus, Ohio, resident Jean Lahmon said. “He was very kind, inspirational, easy with people and accommodating.”
The Pope’s empathy for the marginalized had a profound impact.
“We go to the prisons, hospitals and nursing homes. And, we try in various ways to assist the poor that we can here in our community,” said Father Leonard. “So, I like to think we are trying to respond to that call that Pope Francis offered us.”
After a time of mourning and the papal funeral, who could the Pope’s successor be? That process will begin fairly soon. When it comes to ‘going to the margins,’ the church is universal so it’s important to have representation.
“Leadership on the papal level from other parts of the world. So I’m sure the cardinals themselves will be looking primarily from among themselves, from among that College of Cardinals, they call it,” Father Leonard said. “But it’s not impossible that someone is selected from outside of that College of Cardinals. They’ll gather and deliberate and vote. And in the end result, we’ll have a new Pope.”
