Bishop Patrick Neary Issues Statement on Passing of Pope Francis

(KNSI) — Catholics around the world are mourning the loss of Pope Francis, who died Easter Monday at the age of 88.

Bishop for the Diocese of St. Cloud, Patrick Neary is among those sharing in the loss. In a statement emailed to KNSI News, he writes,

“Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

It is with deep sadness that I received the news about the passing of Pope Francis. I was serving in Kampala, Uganda, when he was elected, and I was privileged to attend a talk he gave in Rubaga Cathedral when he visited Uganda in 2015.

To me Pope Francis was a light shining in the darkness, a friend of the poor and a prophet of God’s mercy and justice. He envisioned the Church to be a field hospital that would meet human beings precisely where they are, just as Christ did. He called us to be better stewards of the earth. By introducing the synod on synodality, he reminded us of the need to lovingly encounter, listen, and discern together God’s will for the Church.

On a personal note, I was so honored to meet him as a new bishop in September 2023 and felt not only his holiness but his humanness. He was just one of us. May he now rest from his labors, for his good deeds go with him!

Yours in Christ,
+Patrick M. Neary, C.S.C.
Bishop, Diocese of Saint Cloud”

The pontiff had been battling double pneumonia and was released from Gemelli Hospital in Rome on March 23rd. Due to a doctor ordered pull back on his workload, Pope Francis was not well enough to say Mass on Easter Sunday, but he did give an apostolic blessing from the main balcony to the faithful gathered outside St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by a ride in the open topped Popemobile for the first time since he returned to the Vatican.

Pope Francis’s last public words were uttered during his blessing, where he said, “Christ is risen, alleluia! Happy Easter!” In a weak voice, he wished “Happy Easter” and waved at the crowd. His last recorded words were, “A blessed Easter.”

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