Maine people are joining the world in mourning the loss of Pope Francis I, who died early Monday in Vatican City.
The 88-year-old pontiff suffered from chronic lung disease, according to the Associated Press. Born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he became the Roman Catholic Church’s 266th pope — and the first from Latin America — on March 13, 2013.
The day before his death, he appeared on Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Square, blessing crowds and taking a popemobile tour, the AP said. It was his first public appearance after being hospitalized in February for respiratory issues.
Many in Maine and elsewhere are remembering Francis for his deep connection to the poor and for reforms, which included welcoming women to greater roles in the church and supporting LGTBQ+ people.
The pontiff embraced the world and leaves a legacy of compassion and hope, Bishop James T. Ruggieri of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland said Monday.
“I’ll never forget watching the livestream of him alone in the drizzling rain outside of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome at the height of COVID praying before the crucifix and interceding for a world that was filled with fear and uncertainty,” Ruggieri said Monday. “Our spiritual father has died. The Church mourns.”
Francis wanted people to see God as a merciful father, and encouraged the faithful to care for the poor and marginalized and to be good stewards of the earth, the bishop said.
The pontiff inspired people with his humble leadership, calling on world leaders to work for peace and act to preserve the planet, Gov. Janet Mills said. He also touched Maine deeply when he lent prayerful support in the wake of the Lewiston mass shooting in 2023.
“In Maine, we will never forget his blessings of peace and strength for the people of Lewiston in the wake of the October 2023 tragedy,” Mills said. “On behalf of the people of Maine, I extend our deepest condolences to Catholics across the world.”
Most churches across Maine were closed on Easter Monday, so pastoral leaders were not available for comment. But one member of the Parish of the Precious Blood, the 10-church unit that serves Caribou, Presque Isle and surrounding towns, shared his thoughts.
Parishioner Mike Thibodeau of Presque Isle said though he didn’t agree with some of the pope’s progressive views, he respected him immensely and knows his presence will be missed.
“Pope Francis’ legacy for me will be his deep compassion for the poor and for his humble and gracious demeanor,” Thibodeau said. “While sad, it’s so appropriate that he passed on Easter Monday and we’re all praying for divine guidance in the days ahead.”
For other Mainers, it was Francis’ progressivism that they’ll most remember.
Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, an openly gay legislator, said Francis “threw open the doors of welcome” and reminded people that the church is for everyone, he told the Portland Press Herald.
The pope represented several firsts for the Catholic Church, besides being the first Latin American pontiff. He was also the first to adopt the name Francis, in honor of the humble saint of Assisi. He was the first Jesuit to lead the church. And he was the first to address the U.S. Congress.
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins met Francis in Washington, D.C., in 2015, when he gave that address. He brought faith, hope and light to Catholics all over the world, she said in a statement Monday.
“His extraordinary efforts, despite being gravely ill, on Easter to bless the tens of thousands in St. Peter’s Square and to greet the vice president and his family speak to his profound commitment to celebrate the risen Lord,” Collins said. “His visit to prisoners reflected his pastoral dedication to reaching out and welcoming everyone to experience God’s love. May he rest in eternal peace.”
Rep. Chellie Pingree also remembered the pope’s 2015 visit and was “deeply moved” by his humility, his calls to protect the planet and his concern for the poor, prisoners and refugees, she stated in a social media post.
“Pope Francis led with quiet strength and a conscience that never wavered — giving voice to the voiceless and challenging the powerful to see the humanity in all,” Pingree stated. “In his final Easter blessing, he made a simple, powerful plea: choose peace.”
The coming days will include time to mourn and celebrate Francis’ life, but will also set in motion the centuries-old steps to choose a new pope.
Immediately following a pontiff’s death, the College of Cardinals assumes church leadership, then meets at the Vatican to talk about the needs of the global church. They prepare for a conclave, or an election of the next pope, from their ranks, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The cardinals vote in several rounds by secret ballot at the Sistine Chapel. If a candidate does not win by a two-thirds majority, the ballots are burned with a chemical that creates black smoke outside the chapel, which indicates a new pope hasn’t yet been chosen. When a candidate receives a two-thirds majority and accepts the post, white smoke signals a new pontiff, the conference of bishops stated.
In Maine, Bishop Ruggieri will celebrate a special Mass for the repose of Francis’ soul at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, according to the diocese.
The bishop urged people to pray in the coming days for the repose of the pope’s soul, and to honor Francis by carrying on his message of compassion and “living as pilgrims of hope.”
“As we celebrated yesterday, Jesus has triumphed over sin and death,” Ruggieri said. “This great hope, especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, gives us consolation with the news of our Holy Father’s death.”
