Diocese of Cleveland, city leaders reflect on Pope Francis' passing

Monday at noon, church leaders and parishioners gathered at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist for daily mass, but the pews were a little fuller than normal due to news of the Pope’s death.

"The Pope is out of this life, but he's in a more glorious life right now," said Linda Zanni, who attends Monday service every week with her husband.

She remembered Pope Francis for what she said was his ability to see people as God’s children.

“He had a lot of humility, and he especially looked at the downtrodden. He looked at everybody—not just the good people—but, you know, Jesus hung around sinners, and we are all sinners,” Zanni said.

It’s a quality that also stood out to Robert Barsi, who attended the service.

"He (Pope Francis) was accepting of whatever aspect of your life you had going, just like Jesus Christ did,” Barsi said.

Barsi found himself in church by way of baseball. He’s in town from Oswego, New York, to watch the Yankees play the Guardians.

He said there’s no ignoring the symbolism in the timing of the Pope’s passing.

"I think he hung on until the day of the resurrection, and it was time for him to join the Lord Himself,” Barsi said.

As music filled the cathedral, Bishop Michael Woost reminded the congregation that even in sorrow, there’s joy.

“Our Holy Father encouraged us not to be afraid to seek Christ in our own lives,” Woost told worshipers. “Pope Francis showed us that we should not be afraid to go to the poor and the needy, the imprisoned and the homeless, the immigrant and the marginalized, the victims of oppression or war.”

Later, he said, “Pope Francis knew that such encounters would change us to see Jesus in our brothers and sisters, especially in those in need, and would create opportunities for us to grow in unity, peace, mercy, compassion, and love."

Woost is the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland. He had two face-to-face meetings with Pope Francis.

The first was in 2022, shortly after he was ordained as a new bishop, and the second in 2023 during a pilgrimage with Cleveland-area leaders, including his two brothers, who are priests in the Cleveland Diocese.

Woost showed News 5 a photo where Pope Francis gave him and his brothers a thumbs up.

"Somebody told him that the three of us are brothers, blood brothers, and he just looked at us kind of surprised, and he got this big smile on his face,” Woost said.

Bishop Michael Woost

Many perceived Pope Francis as liberal in terms of his stances on immigration issues, social justice, and LGBTQ+ rights. In 2023, the Pope allowed priests to bless same-sex couples.

"It was a blessing of individuals who had embraced a gay lifestyle and were seeking the Lord's guidance in how to live out their lives,” Woost said.

Woost said Pope Francis’s legacy is one of joy.

“He lived the joy of the gospel and the way that he reached out to so very many people. He was certainly a person who reached out to the marginalized," Woost said. "Any time he appeared in public, he was not afraid to kind of wade into the crowd and to greet individuals, especially young people and children. Pope Francis was known as a great peacemaker. I mean, he tried to negotiate peace among warring communities and communities that were struggling with each other, and certainly called us to be individuals who would promote unity and peace in our world as well."

Soon, Cardinals will choose who will succeed Pope Francis.

"And we'll put our trust that the Lord is going to guide us and provide us with the right kind of leadership, just as the Lord has done in the past,” Woost said.

Zanni said she has faith in the process but added, “I'd like to see someone a little bit more conservative, just because, you know, Jesus still held on to his truths, His Commandments, and we have to do the same."

She said Pope Francis left an indelible mark on Christians and others.“He was a good man. You know he did his best, just like we all try to do,” Zanni said.

The Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland, released the following statement:

"It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge the passing of Pope Francis, who has shepherded the Catholic Church for the past 12 years. As the first pope from the Americas, Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, and like his namesake, he lived a humble, simple, and pious life, serving as an inspiration to the faithful around the world.

"I was blessed to see Pope Francis in January in Rome and passed along the best wishes and prayers of the faithful from the diocese of Cleveland. This was a highlight of a pilgrimage I led to Italy, during which our group was among those who enjoyed an audience with the pope. He responded, 'Ah, Cleveland,' so you can be sure he knew about our exceptional diocese.

"His legacy of encouraging clergy and laity to work together to evangelize with the Good News of Jesus and to serve the least among us made an incredibly significant impression on me. He brought together clergy, religious and laity from around the world in his efforts to encourage church leaders to listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He championed environmental stewardship, promoted unity among Catholics, non-Catholics, and non-Christians, and called us all to be a global family that welcomes our brothers and sisters in need with open arms. Even as pope, he didn’t put himself ahead of others, but embodied the term 'servant leader,' which made him beloved and respected throughout the world.

"Pope Francis set an example for Catholic leaders everywhere by living the values of the Gospel, and by preaching the mercy of God. He once said, 'The Lord never tires of forgiving. It is we who are tired of asking for forgiveness. A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.' May we honor him by remembering God’s mercy and seeking it out. And may we demonstrate our love and mercy to others, just as he did.
I ask all the faithful to pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of Pope Francis. May Pope Francis rest in the love and peace of Christ."

Gov. Mike DeWine on the pope's death

"Fran and I are saddened by the death of Pope Francis. He was an inspiration to us and to millions around the world. His genuine love of and devotion to all people – the poor, the unborn, those without a home, those emigrating to build a better life for themselves and their families, those of all faiths, and those with no faith – was evidenced to the world from the day he was selected to serve as Pope until his last public appearance on Easter Sunday.

"His work directly with the poor was a testament to his life of great humility. And, meeting with children clearly brought him great joy! It gave us the same joy watching him interact with them.

"He spread the Gospel up until the very end of his life on this Earth, making a special effort to do so on Easter. Pope Francis brought hope to the world through his compassion for all."

DeWine has also ordered the U.S. flag and the state flag to be flown at half-staff upon public buildings and grounds throughout the state until sunset on the day of Francis's interment.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb tweeted the following statement:

Vice President J.D. Vance tweeted the following statement: