Pope Francis died this morning at the age of 88. His last appearance was greeting thousands in St. Peter’s square while riding in the popemobile. He had humble beginnings and was especially kind to the poor and humble. RIP.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/pope-fran...080859417.html

A great man! "Who am I to judge?" He will be missed.

 

As a non-catholic observer, I believe he set the example of grace and compassion.

 

My dad was catholic and all my relatives as well. He lived in a period when the catholic church wouldn't accept he was married twice and the second time was to a non-catholic. None the less he went on his own to church often. He would have had a tear in his eye today as this Pope improved the church's views for the better. RIP.

 

He was a good man! RIP

 

He made the effort to last one more Easter celebration and greeting those who flocked to see him. Wow, so amazing. He was a great Pope, he set out to do things others would never tackle, he is with God now.

 

This poor old Catholic happens to be in Rome. We got word pretty quickly. Some Italians say that when a Pope dies, you will get a new one for sure.

Lots of tours and plans for all kinds of things have been thrown into turmoil. I am thinking about heading to the Vatican tomorrow morning at 07:00 when it opens and there are no tourists around. You get the inside devoid of clowns and might get a chance to participate in Mass in the Petrine chapel.

 

What an experience Jim, to be in Rome just as the Pope passes away and after a great Easter celebration at the Vatican.

 

You're supposed to capitalize "Catholic."

 

This was my third Easter in Rome. The first was in 1976 as a student here. The other was in the late 90s when the kids were a little younger. Now this.
I also happened to be here when Francis was elected. Crowds and lots of news people. I happened to share a table at my favorite pizzeria with an ABC radio guy. Very interesting was his perspective on the differences between ABC radio and television. Essentially the television group were prima donnas and all one way on the political spectrum. Radio was the opposite. They walked to the restaurants!

It seems the Vatican will put Francis’s casket on display (he did not want his body visible) in the Vatican and the bronze doors will be closed. However the Jubilee year events will proceed. A saint canonization was to occur on the 27th but that will have to wait for an actual pope to do that. Only he can declare that aspect.