Pope Francis died Monday at the age of 88 after appearing and recovering from his image of recovery on Easter Sunday.
His legacy has undoubtedly affected billions of dollars worldwide, including in Lethbridge and throughout Alberta.
“It's crazy to see it, especially on Easter weekend. It's really devastating, just because he's been around for a long time. That's all I know,” Lethbridge's Danica Gordon said Monday afternoon.
She said Francis, born in Jorge Mario Bergoglio, will become a tough pope.
“Honestly, I don’t think we’ll find someone like him again.”
For some, he represents more than religion. He is a beacon of hope.
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Sara Figueroa from Mexico said: “He is more open, more modern, more modern, and has an understanding of young people (community). I think he is closer to (people).”
She said it was huge for people in Latin America to finally have a Pope in South America.
“I'm glad it was Argentina for the first time,” Figueroa said.
This belief was shared by Father Santiago Torres, associate pastor of all Saints Catholic dioceses in Lethbridge.
“I was born in Colombia, so having a pope from South America is huge. Of course, you will feel closer to him.”
This intimacy of Torres was elevated to Torres, and to this day his entire priesthood has served under the religion of the Pope.
“As a pope who ruled for 12 years, he is therefore the only pope they know for many in the church, especially those young. It definitely marks your mark,” Torres said.
He said those attending the parish are now trying to understand the great glory of Easter and combined with the death of Francis.
“The message I talked to in the community and people already mostly wondered about this – how to reconcile this great joy and deep ecstasy that took place on Easter due to the resurrection of Christ, but at the same time, the loss of our pope brings profound sorrow.”
But he said that no matter where they live or what cultural background they have, all Catholics are together.
“In a place like Lethbridge, of course, it’s possible to evacuate from Rome, but obviously, we have a great faith in the church and what’s going on there.”
& Copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
