Pittsburgh-area religious leaders, other local, state officials react to death of Pope Francis

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh-area religious leaders and other local and state officials are reacting to the death of Pope Francis.

Francis died Monday at 88, the Vatican announced, a day after blessing thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday.

Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to a hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.

Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik:

“With deep sorrow, respect, and love, I join the faithful of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and people around the world, in mourning the death of our Holy Father, Pope Francis.

“Pope Francis led the Church with extraordinary humility, compassion, and courage. He reminded us that mercy is at the heart of the Gospel, and he consistently called us to encounter one another with tenderness and care—especially the poor, the suffering, and the forgotten. His voice echoed far beyond the walls of the Church, inviting people of all backgrounds to walk together in peace, justice, and love.

“On the occasions I had the privilege of being in the presence of the Holy Father during visits to the Vatican, what struck me most was not just the dignity of his office, but the warmth of his heart. His attention to each person, his gentle spirit, and his genuine kindness left a lasting impression on me and so many others. He was a shepherd who smelled like his sheep—and the world is better for it.

“I ask all in our diocese to join me in praying for the eternal repose of his soul, and in giving thanks for his life and witness. May Pope Francis now rest in the peace of the Risen Christ whom he so faithfully served. And may the Holy Spirit guide the Church in this time of transition.”

Diocese of Greensburg Bishop Larry Kulick

“Today, I join with the Clergy, religious and the faithful of the Diocese of Greensburg in mourning the loss of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. Let us give thanks to God for his dedicated service as our faithful shepherd who has gone to our Lord, Jesus Christ. I have always been honored that Pope Francis not only bestowed his trust and confidence in me by naming me 6th Bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg in 2020, but in allowing me to shepherd and provide pastoral care for my home Diocese. After the COVID -19 pandemic, I had the magnificent opportunity to be in his presence in Rome in 2022 while attending formation for new bishops. I was also in Rome a few weeks ago when the Holy Father was released from the hospital after his lengthy stay.

“I am asking the faithful to pray that the Lord grant Pope Francis eternal rest and let perpetual light shine upon him.Let us also ask the Holy Spirit to guide the Church in this period of mourning and transition. “

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey

In this time of mourning, First Lady Michelle and I extend our condolences to the global Catholic community and all those who were touched by Pope Francis’ leadership and grace. May his legacy endure in the hearts of believers and those who loved him.
~Mayor Ed Gainey pic.twitter.com/54XHOtLkKu
— Mayor Ed Gainey (@MayorEdGainey) April 21, 2025

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro

Archabbot Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B - Saint Vincent Archabbey

Pope Francis, often called the Pope of surprises, drew our attention one last time again as he visually preached his last homily by his Triduum activities despite his infirmity and his passing during the Octave of Easter. He now knows the reality of the empty tomb as he experienced the Risen Christ on his return to the Father. He dedicated his life to the Lord and His Church. For his pastoral fidelity, enduring courage and immense love as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, may he be greeted as scripture says, Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful . . . I [gave] you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.

Duquesne University President Ken Gormley

I had the rare opportunity to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican in February of 2018, early in my presidency. It was the honor of a lifetime.

Bishop David Zubik had arranged for me to attend a large gathering and Mass with the Pope at St. Peter’s Square, where I was slated to be with hundreds of others on the stage. That day, a terrible thunderstorm swept through Rome, causing them to cancel the outdoor service. Remarkably, I received word that I would be permitted to attend a much smaller Mass and service celebrated by Pope Francis, inside the Hall of Pope Paul VI, beside St. Peter’s Basilica. I was accompanied by my Senior Advisor, Fr. James McCloskey, who spoke fluent Italian and knew his way around the Vatican. We were escorted by Vatican guards into a small section of VIP seating toward the front of the Hall. We were in the second row. I asked if there was any chance we would get to meet the Pope in this location and the guard said, “if he comes over here, he may say hello to a few people, but only in the first row. You are in the second row.”

The Pope appeared precisely at 10:00, processing down the center aisle to the cheers and clapping of hundreds upon hundreds of school children from Italy, Spain, France, South America, and countries around the globe who had made the pilgrimage. Toward the end of Mass, and after a flawlessly delivered sermon in multiple languages (including Italian and English), Pope Francis stepped down from the large altar and begin circulating through the crowd. He spent most of his time on the opposite side of the Hall from us, where dozens of severely handicapped individuals—both elderly and children—were lined up in wheelchairs. I recall Pope Francis placing his hands on the head of one elderly gentleman and talking to him for what seemed like an eternity, as the man closed his eyes and prayed. Next, Pope Francis made his way to a pew filled with new brides in wedding gowns and their spouses—a tradition for new brides to come and receive a blessing. He moved down the pew and spoke to each bride and spouse, seemingly as excited for their recent nuptials as they were.

At the last minute, Pope Francis turned and walked toward our section. An Italian family in the front row swiveled to the right and made enough room for me to plant my foot into the space and wedge into the area beside them. As Pope Francis walked down the row, I took a deep breath, identified myself as the President of Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit—a Catholic University in Pittsburgh—and introduced Fr. Jim McCloskey to him. As cameras flashed, I chatted briefly with the Pope and told him that we had a small campus in Rome and that we had approximately 60 Duquesne students with us in the Hall. I pointed to the audience behind us, and there were our students, waving and proudly holding a banner that said “Duquesne University.” I said to Pope Francis, “I hope you can visit us in Pittsburgh one day.” He smiled and gave me a thumb’s up. I told Fr. Jim: “I’m taking that as a definite yes!”

Pope Francis was an extraordinary man, and an extraordinary leader of the Church. What struck me most was that he literally beamed with joy as he moved from area to area in the Hall, meeting people of all backgrounds and talking engagedly. It occurred to me that the Vatican was built to serve as the heart of the Church, worldwide. Faithful Catholics made the pilgrimage here from all over the world to the Vatican to catch a glimpse of the Pope, to hold up Papal rosary beads to be blessed (I have a pair) and to be in the presence of the person who carries forward the sacred 2,000-year tradition since Christ’s birth and death. Pope Francis, more than others, seemed to understand all this. He relished his role as the shepherd of the flock. He realized that every photo taken in this Hall would be shared back home across all corners of the globe (as they did in my case) and reach millions of others as he sought touch a worldwide group of faithful. Even though Pope Francis, at that time, was over 80 years old, he had a sparkle in his eye, a youthful gait, and exuded a genuine love for all he met.

It is rare for anyone, during their limited time on earth, to be fortunate enough to be in the presence of true greatness. But I had that precious opportunity on that day in the Vatican. Pope Francis may one day become a Saint. But I will remember him most for placing his hand on the elderly, disabled man; celebrating with recent brides in gowns; and waving back to my 60 students from Duquesne University who were savoring this experience of a lifetime that they would one day tell their own children about. Pope Francis understood the enormity of his role, a role which covered the entire span of humanity in every corner of the globe. Yet he didn’t seem worn out, impatient, or in a hurry to get back to the Papal residence. His work was with the people. And that work continued until his final day on earth, when he took his last breath and knew that he had done the work God had called him to do. And he had done it extraordinarily well—because despite the Papal trappings, it was never about him. May he now rest in peace.

Sen. Dave McCormick

“Pope Francis was a remarkable spiritual leader whose life brought hope to millions and made the world a better place. Dina and I are thinking about and join with the devout and strong Catholic community across Pennsylvania mourning his loss with brothers and sisters around the globe. May he rest in peace.”

Rep. Mike Kelly

“Today, I join my fellow Catholics in mourning the loss of Pope Francis. Throughout his papacy, he symbolized and championed peace and a better world for all. May we continue the Pope’s mission in our daily lives"

Rep. Chris Deluzio

“I join so many in Western PA and around the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. He was a source of pride for me and so many fellow Catholics and spoke with moral clarity that has become all too rare.”