The death of Pope Francis comes as a surprise but not a shock for one Northwest Indiana religious leader.
“It’s a real blessing that he passed away the day after Easter,” said the Rev. Michael Sufurka. “His last message to the world was a message of hope for Easter.”
On Monday morning, Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, died at 88. The Vatican said he died of a stroke that put him into a coma and led to heart failure, according to the Associated Press. The Pope was hospitalized with bronchitis, double pneumonia and acute respiratory failure for more than a month starting in mid-February, but he was released in late March.
The pope made his final appearance on Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Square.
Sufurka hosted a memorial, Office of the Dead for Pope Francis, at 7 p.m. Monday at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels, 640 Tyler St. in Gary.
“His legacy and contributions to the church, many people have written about that,” Sufurka said. “But his death today is really a reminder of the reality of hope that lives in the world.”
Josie Werhowetz-Neiman, a member of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, said it was ironic for Pope Francis to die the day after Easter.
“He had the opportunity to celebrate resurrection and all Easter should be,” Werhowetz-Neiman said. “Now he gets to spend his time in heaven, enjoying paradise for all of his good works he encouraged in us.”
Werhowetz-Neiman believes Pope Francis exemplified Christianity throughout his life. She highlighted his work with poor and marginalized communities, saying Pope Francis was a true advocate and did what he could to encourage inclusivity. One of his last public appearances was on Holy Thursday when he spent 30 minutes with inmates at a prison in Rome, according to the Associated Press, and he denounced laws that criminalized homosexuality.
“He had a grasp on what social justice truly means in the world,” Werhowetz-Neiman said. “Even with things such as climate change, he would speak up to world leaders and try to challenge people to do what’s best for humanity.”
In 2023, Francis issued “To All People of Good Will on the Climate Crisis,” indicating concern that not enough was being done to address climate change.
“With the passage of time, I have realized that our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point,” Francis wrote.
Rev. Robert McClory, Bishop of Gary, released a statement after the pope’s death Monday.
“We unite in prayer with Catholics around the world and all people of goodwill in gratitude for the life of our Pope Francis and pray during the Easter season, as we celebrate His resurrection, that our Lord will bless Pope Francis with the reward of eternal life,” McClory said in his statement.
McClory encouraged Catholics to join him in prayer for Pope Francis, mentioning the Our Father, Hail Mary and a Glory Be, and the Holy Rosary. McClory’s statement said prayers for the dead can assist souls destined for heaven.
“Pope Francis lived out the joy of the Gospel from the first day of pontificate until his last breath,” McClory wrote in his letter to the faithful. “He consistently reminded us that the Church should be looking outward to love and accompany others as they draw closer to Jesus. The best tribute that we could give to Pope Francis is to show someone today how much Jesus loves them by what we say and do.”
Gov. Mike Braun on Monday directed flags to be flown at half-staff statewide, according to a news release. Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset, and Braun encouraged Indiana businesses and residents to lower flags as well.
Lt. Gov Micah Beckwith issued a statement after the pope’s death, saying his leadership and commitment to serving the poor and marginalized resonated with many Hoosiers.
“Today, we remember a pontiff who lived the Gospel with sincerity and love, inspiring us to pursue lives of compassion and service just as he did,” Beckwith said in his statement. “Let us join together in prayer, cherishing his legacy and asking for God’s comfort during this poignant time.”
Louise Standefer, Dyer resident and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, said she was crushed to learn of Pope Francis’ death Monday morning.
Standefer appreciated the empathy Pope Francis had for immigrants and marginalized communities, she said Monday.
For the next pope, Standefer said she hopes it’s someone with “chutzpah.”
“(We need) someone who’s going to stand up to some of the junk that’s going on in the world,” she said. “We need someone that’s going to stand up for what’s right.”
Marie Purnick, Dyer resident and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, called Pope Francis “a great servant of the Lord” and said it was a great blessing to see him lead the church.
Like Standefer, Purnick also had some requests of the next pope.
“I hope the next is blessed with a strong, energetic mind and a lot of wisdom on the Catholic faith, the world and Christians as we come to be disciples of God,” Purnick said.
The Associated Press contributed.
