As cardinals gather in Rome for the latest conclave in order to select a new pope, this week, we asked readers their opinion on the life, death, and legacy of the late Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope, the first pope from Latin America, and the first pope from the southern hemisphere, who was born in Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and died at the Vatican in Rome, Italy on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88.

“This pope was friendly. He changed how the church works. He saw how the world was with people who are gay and the LGBT community. It changed many lives, and he opened the minds of many people. But now, there are going to be changes. I think he will be the last good Pope. I feel Pope Francis had a peace inside him like Pope John Paul (II).”

Fernando Medina,
Norwood

“Pope Francis was a good man for the church. He was an example for everybody because he loved everybody. No matter what, he loved everybody and he was a good man, and we’re going to miss him because he looked like a saint. He brought a lot of change to the church. He traveled to every country and brought peace to the people. We’re going to miss him, but wherever he is I know he’s praying for us.”

Alberto Bravo,
Norwood

“He was a wonderful pope, and he served the church with love and the amazing grace he had. He was thinking all the time about the poor and the ones who needed help. Sometimes, we are blind, but this pope was the one the Lord used for us to see the need throughout the whole world. The immigrants, the ones suffering because of the wars, the ones who are suffering because of the drugs; he taught us how to welcome all these people.”

Gustavo Gonzalez,
Norwood
Photo by David Greene

“Every time that I started praying to him after he passed, I kept saying, ‘Pope Francis,’ because he was such a gift from God to us. I don’t remember any other pope having been so concerned about the immigrants, the homeless people, even gay people, all people in general. He always said we are all children of God, and I pray and bless him every day that God sent us this angel.”

Nereida Malave,
Kingsbridge
Photo by David Greene

 

“It deeply saddened me to hear of the passing of Pope Francis. A great light has left the earth, his divine mercy, unwavering faith, and his tireless dedication to sharing the Lord’s goodwill. He can never be replaced. May the Lord lovingly embrace his faithful servant and welcome him into the joyful afterlife he so passionately preached and lived for. His legacy will continue to inspire us all.”

Cyara Rodriguez Lugo,
Norwood
Photo courtesy of Cyara Rodriguez Lugo