COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – One day after delivering the traditional Easter blessing Sunday morning and meeting with Vice President J.D. Vance, Pope Francis died at the age of 88.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” said Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, who takes charge after a pontiff’s death.
The Vatican said Francis died of a cerebral stroke that put him into a coma and led to irreversible heart failure.
As news of the Pope’s death spread, reaction quickly poured in from central Ohio and beyond, including a statement submitted to The Catholic Times from the Columbus Diocese.
Pope Francis dies at 88“My heart is saddened at the passing of Pope Francis, and I mourn with my brothers and sisters all over the world,” Bishop of Columbus Reverend Earl Fernandes said in the statement. “The Holy Father consistently emphasized care for our common home and human fraternity: the need to see one another as brothers and sisters. We would do well to learn from his wisdom.”
Bishop Fernandes said the Diocese of Columbus will host a special Requiem Mass for Pope Francis at St. Joseph Cathedral, Monday at 7 p.m. You can watch the ceremony live in this story.
Governor Mike DeWine said the Pope's work with the poor and children was a testament to his humility and brought hope and compassion for all.
"Fran and I are saddened by the death of Pope Francis. He was an inspiration to us and to millions around the world," DeWine said. "His genuine love of and devotion to all people – the poor, the unborn, those without a home, those emigrating to build a better life for themselves and their families, those of all faiths, and those with no faith – was evidenced to the world from the day he was selected to serve as Pope until his last public appearance on Easter Sunday."
Vance, who met with Pope Francis briefly on Easter Sunday, expressed his condolences on the platform X.
“I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul.”
Pope Francis receives U.S. Vice President JD Vance, left, before bestowing the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for to the city and to the world) blessing at the end of the Easter mass presided over by Cardinal Angelo Comastri in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sunday, April 20, 2025. At center the head of the papal houshold Bishop Leonardo Sapienza. (Vatican Media via AP, HO)Vance was embroiled in a long-distance spat with the Pope over the Trump administration’s migrant deportation plans. Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, and the pope have tangled sharply over migration and the Trump administration’s plans to deport migrants en masse. Francis made caring for migrants a hallmark of his papacy.
Ohio republican Senator Bernie Moreno also posted a message on X, which said, "Pope Francis was a tireless advocate for the dignity of life and service to others. His legacy will continue to inspire others as he inspired Catholics all over the world."
"I'm saddened by the passing of Pope Francis—a powerful voice for peace, tolerance, and stewardship of the Earth as our common home," said Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH). "As we grieve this profound loss, may we honor his memory by continuing his mission of mercy, equality, and care for creation and all of humanity."
Vivek Ramaswamy, who is running in next year's Republican primary for Ohio governor, said he joins the "billions of good people around the world today mourning Pope Francis. It was a great honor to have met him. May he rest in peace."
"Speaker, will you pray for me?" With those words, Pope Francis changed my life," wrote former Rep. and Speaker of the House John Boehner. "He will forever hold a place in America's history as the first Pope to address a joint meeting of the US Congress, and in hearts across the world for his compassionate stewardship of the Church."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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