Local, state officials and religious leaders mourn the death of Pope Francis

Pope Francis arrives at the end of the mass on Palm Sunday in St. Peter’s Square at The Vatican, Sunday, April 13, 2025. | Gregorio Borgia, Associated Press IDAHO FALLS — With the announcement of Pope Francis’s death early Monday morning, a period of mourning begins across the world, celebrating the 88-year-old’s life and service. According to the Associated Press, the Vatican reported the pope died at 7:35 a.m. Central European time after battling a double pneumonia infection since Feb. 14. The Vatican reported Pope Francis died of a stroke, which resulted in him going into a coma, and subsequently into heart failure. RELATED | Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff who ministered with a charming, humble style, dies at 88 Gov. Brad Little, in accordance with a proclamation by President Donald Trump, has ordered all U.S. and state flags to fly at half-mast until sunset on the day of the pope’s internment to honor the pope’s life. “Thousands of Idaho Catholics and people of all faiths are mourning the passing of Pope Francis, a true servant of God. Teresa and I join many, many others in honoring his life and legacy of service to Christ and others,” Little said. The Diocese of Boise, which oversees 51 parishes, 31 stations, and 25 chapels in the state of Idaho, announced Pope Francis’s death to its parishioners. “United in prayer with Catholics in Idaho, the United States, and those around the world, and with all people of goodwill, we pray in gratitude for the life of our revered shepherd. We mourn the passing of our Holy Father and ask Saint Joseph to accompany him,” the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise Bishop Peter F. Christensen said. In the announcement, Christensen remarks on the life of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis’s birth name, and how he was the first pope to come from the Western hemisphere. He stated in the announcement, that Pope Francis’s term as the pontiff was a “back to basics” agenda. “Focusing the faithful on the heart of the Gospel, with a renewed commitment to those in need and caring for our common home.” According to the Diocese of Boise’s website, there are 150,000 Catholics living within the diocese and make up 11% of the state’s population. A memorial mass will be held in Boise at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday. EastIdahoNews.com reached out to Pope Saint John Paul II Catholic Parish of Idaho Falls for comment, but its office was closed in observance of Easter Monday. Holy Spirit Catholic Community, the catholic church in Pocatello, on Facebook, posted a statement about Pope Francis’s death. “With sorrow and hope, we share the news that Pope Francis has returned to the Father’s house. His life of humble service, prophetic witness, and deep compassion for the poor and the suffering has touched hearts around the world,” the statement said. A mass will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the St. Joseph’s Chapel in Pocatello.The post Local, state officials and religious leaders mourn the death of Pope Francis appeared first on East Idaho News.
Source: eastidahonews.com