Catholics and others in Michigan mourned the death of Pope Francis, saying his legacy of compassion and kindness will be remembered by many.
In a statement issued April 21, Archbishop of Detroit Edward Weisenburger said: “My heart is heavy as our world has lost a powerful, prophetic, and loving voice. However, I also rejoice in what I pray will be a blessed reward of joy beyond all understanding for a truly great and loving Universal Shepherd.”
Pope Francis “was a man of peace” who gave a “constant call for the end of all violence and war,” said Weisenburger, who was named by Pope Francis to lead the archdiocese in February.
Prayers for the Pope are being held today at Catholic centers across metro Detroit, including at the seat of the Archdiocese of Detroit, Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Detroit, a spokeswoman for the archdiocese said. A news conference in Detroit by the archdiocese at 5:30 p.m. and a special Mass at 7 p.m. are planned for later Monday at the cathedral.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer posted a thread on X praising the late Pope, writing: “Pope Francis was an inspiration to countless Michiganders and people around the world. He led with grace, compassion, and humility. He fought against poverty and called for action on climate change, economic injustice, and peace.”
“Traditionally, when a Holy Father dies, you pray a Mass for the dead each day for him” until his funeral, explained Br. Gary Wegner, OFM Cap, the executive director of the Capuchins Soup Kitchen in Detroit, which feeds about 1,000 people every day. The type of work that happens at the soup kitchen is what Wegner said Pope Francis was about, looking out for marginalized people.
“In terms of the Holy Father’s legacy, I think kindness and mercy are two of the words” that come to mind, Wegner told the Free Press on Monday. “He trusted in the mercy of God. And that’s what he tried to preach and witness to the rest of us. There was one of his quotes that I particularly loved that he gave once in a talk: ‘a little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.'”
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Pope Francis’ impact was felt in metro Detroit in several ways. In 2017, he declared “blessed” Solanus Casey, as a Capuchin friar in Detroit, making him one step away from becoming a saint. He also named in February the new Archbishop of Detroit, Weisenburger, who has been outspoken in support of immigrants. Catholics who are progressive especially liked Pope Francis, saying he was more open towards groups such as LGBTQ+ people, migrants and the poor. Some conservative Catholics were upset with his views, saying he was too liberal in his positions, such as putting restrictions on traditional Latin Masses.
This year, Pope Francis clashed at times with the administration of President Donald Trump, who has vowed to carry out a record number of deportations.
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At a meeting last month at the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit of Catholics who support immigrants, the Free Press asked attendees their views of Pope Francis. All praised him, saying he was carrying out the true mission of the Catholic Church.
Nick Chuey, of Trenton, called him a “faithful servant to Jesus Christ.”
Judy Brooks, a local Catholic in the archdiocese, said Pope Francis “always supported immigrants,” LGBTQ+ people and women, supporting efforts to increase the numbers of women in leadership roles.
“In terms of social teaching, I think he has supported and ignited … flames of service, giving people courage to serve that might otherwise have been working in the shadows,” Brooks said.
Weisenburger said his death brings “immense sadness.”
“Our Holy Father once said, ‘Some people want to know why I wished to be called Francis. For me, Francis of Assisi is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation.’ While it is impossible to measure Pope Francis’ impact on our Church and world, I believe the three aspects he referenced will be a lasting influence.”
The Detroit archbishop added: “As an icon of Christ Himself, the Holy Father’s deepest wounds were revealed in the world’s violence, death, and destruction, all of which he cried out against. His clarion call for peace was truly an echo of Christ’s own. … His leadership and witness have shaped my episcopal priorities and ministry over these past 11 years.”
The leader of the Diocese of Grand Rapids in west Michigan, Bishop David Walkowiak, echoed Weisenburger’s views, saying that Pope Francis “served those whom the world often considered outcasts.”
“Pope Francis sought to break down barriers and draw people into an encounter with Christ in the Catholic Church,” the Grand Rapids bishop said. “He challenged priests to be shepherds with the ‘smell of the sheep,’ and constantly reminded us of the dignity of the unborn, migrants and refugees, and prisoners. He was a man of action, ministering to the homeless in Rome, visiting refugee camps, and washing the feet of prisoners. His pastoral heart, use of relatable language, and witness to serving people on the margins stand as an example for all people.”
Steve Spreitzer, a longtime interfaith activist in Michigan who left the Catholic Church decades ago because he felt it had become too conservative, praised Pope Francis: “The past 12 years have been a blessing as Pope Francis, whose grandparents fled the fascism of Italy leaving him with a familial connection to the plight of migrants and refugees and a window into the struggles of the poor, called upon the psychospiritual strength of the faithful to consider the totality of the message of Jesus and to engage in social justice.”
Reporters Kristen Shamus and Nushrat Rahman contributed to this report.
Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com or X @nwarikoo
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Catholics mourn death of Pope Francis, recall his ‘kindness’
Reporting by Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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