After an appearance on Easter Sunday and a recovery image, Pope Francis died Monday at the age of 88.
Its inheritance has undoubtedly affected billions worldwide, especially in Lethbridge and southern Alberta.
“It was really crazy to see, especially the Easter weekend. It was really devastating too, just because it has been around for so long. That’s all I knew when I grew up,” Danica Gordon told Lethbridge on Monday afternoon.
She says that Francis, born like Jorge Mario Bergoglio, will be a pontiff difficult to follow.
“Honestly, I don’t think we will never find someone like him.”
For some, he represented more than religion. It was a headlight of hope.
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“It was more open, more modern, more (understanding of young people), understanding of (community). I think he was closer to (people), “said Sara Figueroa, from Mexico.
She says that finally having a South American pope was enormous for those of Latin America.
“I was happy that the first time was for Argentina,” said Figueroa.
This belief was shared by Father Santiago Torres, the associate pastor of the Catholic parish All Saints in Lethbridge.
“I was born in Columbia and therefore having a pope who came from South America was enormous. You certainly feel much more close to him. ”
This feeling of proximity with Francis was raised for Torres because all his priesthood was served under the pontificate of the Pope, until today.
“As a pope who has reigned for 12 years, so for many people in the church, especially those who are younger, he is the only pope they have known. This definitively marks you in a different way,” said Torres.
He says that those who attend his parish are now trying to give meaning to the monumental glory of Easter combined with the sorrow of Francis’ death.
“Messages and people to whom I spoke in the community have already questioned themselves mainly on this subject – how to reconcile this great joy and this deep exultation which takes place at Easter because of the resurrection of Christ, but at the same time, the deep sadness which has just lost our pope.”
But he says that all Catholics are together, no matter where they live or what culture they have.
“In a place like Lethbridge, certainly withdrawn from Rome, but obviously very well linked by our faith to our church and what is happening there.”
& Copy 2025 Global News, A Division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
