Returned to the House of the Father: Pope Francis dead at 88

Vatican City announced the death of Pope Francis on Monday. Pope Francis was hospitalized previously for 38 days as he battled bilateral pneumonia.

Catholics and non-Catholics are mourning the loss, including many members of the Oswego community.

Mike Huynh, director of the Catholic Hall Newman Center, says he saw the pope as a role model and humble and kind leader. “Regardless of what you believe, he just genuinely emulated joy and a love for all people.”

While no one knows who the next pope will be, folks we spoke to hope he will carry on what Pope Francis stood for.

The funeral for Pope Francis will be held Saturday. He asked to be buried outside the Vatican, the first time in over a century along with a simple tomb, “without particular decoration”. Another departure for a man known for breaking them.

Edited by Jamari Mitchell