(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – After suffering from double pneumonia and a lifelong chronic lung disease, Pope Francis died Monday. He was 88.

 

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois issued the following statement:

“Pope Francis challenged the world daily through his words and actions that we are all called to something greater, not of this world, but the next. His life was a testament that if we are to go to heaven, we must embrace our crosses and sacrifices, and we must live an authentic Catholic life. That means we must show empathy, compassion, and love to our neighbors. We must live humbly and selflessly. We are called to care for the poor, the afflicted, the sick, and the marginalized. Finally, we must pray, hold true to the Gospels, and participate in the greatest treasure Jesus gave to us: His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity – present in the Holy Eucharist at Mass.”

Paprocki, after meeting the pope in 2019, said the pontiff spoke to him and his fellow bishops as a fellow apostle and not a boss.

The pope led the Roman Catholic Church through the COVID pandemic, and Paprocki said Pope Francis taught us that “amongst all the trials, fear, uncertainty, stresses, violence, ad hatred in this world, we must always turn to God.”

While the papal seat is vacant, the Sacred College of Cardinals governs the church and prepares for the election of the next pope. The new pope is chosen in a secret conclave by cardinal electors, who must secure a two-thirds majority vote.  Once a new pope has been chosen, white smoke will appear from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney.

 

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