Massachusetts Catholics react to death of Pope Francis: 'He transcended religion'
By Caitlyn Kelleher and Katie Landeck, Wicked Local, April 21, 2025
A sculpture made by Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik depicting Pope Francis as a mark of tribute following the news of his death, in Puri of India's Odisha state on April 21, 2025. Pope Francis, an energetic reformer who inspired widespread devotion from Catholics but riled traditionalists, died on April 21, aged 88, just a day after greeting delighted worshippers after Easter Mass. (Photo by AFP)
Story Summary
Pope Francis, remembered for his inclusivity and focus on the poor, died at 88 after battling respiratory illness.
The first pope from the Americas, he was elected in 2013 and championed compassion and action over words.
Massachusetts leaders, including Archbishop Richard Henning and Congressman Jim McGovern, offered condolences and praised his legacy.
Carl Sawejko, a Swansea resident, recalled the Pope's advocacy for gay rights and his emphasis on not condemning people.
(This story has been updated with additional information.)
Described as a source of "hope and inspiration in difficult times," Pope Francis, 88, died on Easter Monday.
The pope died after an extended battle with respiratory ailments at 7:35 a.m. local time (1:35 a.m. ET) on Monday, April 21, Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced to Vatican News. As Massachusetts leaders woke up the news, statements of condolences started rolling in.
“He transcended religion. He really welcomed everyone to the church,” said Carl Sawejko, a Swansea resident, on Monday morning.Sawejko, who was raised Catholic and played the keyboard, then the organ when he could reach the pedals, and later became an altar boy at Red Brick Church, which has since been closed on Bradford Avenue, hopes to see another pope continue the legacy of inclusion that marked his papacy. Sawejko said that Francis was a pope who advised others “not to condemn people.” He recalls hearing about Pope Francis advocate for gay rights and remembers it as “a powerful moment.”
Sawejko remarked that the pope’s namesake reflects his willingness to extend indiscriminate grace to all, and to live a modest life with minimal possessions. “He wanted to be with the people,” Sawejko said.
Pope Francis was elected to the role in 2013. He is the first pope from the Americas.
Maria Vieira, 66, of Dartmouth, who attends Mass every week, said she always wanted to meet Pope Francis. "I loved how humble and caring he was and everything he stood for, and especially how he always tried to include everyone."
His actions inspired her to believe.
"We should all care for one another, really believe we should all care for one another. It doesn’t matter what your status in life is or where you come from. The world would be a better place if we all did that," she said. "Being an immigrant myself, I was always touched by the way he cared for immigrants".
For the next Pope, she hopes he is as understanding and as inclusive as Pope Francis was.
“Pope Francis was an incredibly humble person in his works and words, always trying to bring people together,” said Ester Carreiro, 61, of Fairhaven, a devout Catholic. “His legacy has touched so many hearts. He consistently encouraged people to deepen their faith by being humble towards others and promoting peace. I hope our next Pope will follow the works of Pope Francis.”
Robert Warming, 27, from Newton, was raised Catholic but started taking his faith seriously while in college at Georgetown University. He now attends Mass regularly. His Catholic faith, he said, grounds him and is at the center of how he thinks about the world.
“Pope Francis' life was a reminder of what the core of the Christian faith is: mercy and love,” Warming said. “I think he was able to reach non-Catholics in a way no Pope has done before. In these final few weeks of his life, it was particularly beautiful to see non-Catholic friends keep him in their thoughts and pray for him.”
Warming said that what he wants in the next Pope is “above his pay grade,” but he hopes they pay as much attention to pastoral care as Pope Francis.
“I think the world is hungry for spiritual care, and the Church has a responsibility to fill that need,” he said.
Muriel Savoy Moloney, 94, of East Weymouth has been a Catholic "since I was born" and attends Mass weekly at Immaculate Conception Church in East Weymouth. She went to Mass daily for many years and still watches the Catholic Mass every day on television.
"I loved the fact that Pope Francis loved everybody," she said. "He didn't care if you were rich or poor, a believer or even an atheist; he believed that God made you, so you were worth loving.
"He had so much empathy for everyone, and I think he was born with that. I never met the Pope, but listening to him, you could believe he didn't think anyone was evil and always felt there was room for anybody to change. "
Pope Francis' messages on inclusivity, acceptance and the LGBTQ+ community mattered in Massachusetts
Of personal significance, Moloney said: "There are some gay people in my family, and it made such a difference how he spoke about gay people. God loved them as much as any other people. The Church loves everybody, but sometimes has a hard time dealing with gay people. I believe the Pope felt that gay people were born that way -- so why would you not love them? They are just like other people in other ways."
"I'm glad he felt that they were worthy people. I believe he made all people feel that way when he was with them. I hope the next Pope will be as open and loving to everybody, no matter who they are."
She was surprised that he died, but felt happy that he went peacefully, after so many health issues, and is at peace, and that he went at a good time, Easter Sunday, a happy time.
She also spoke about seeing the film The Conclave. "I had no idea how difficult it was to elect a Pope and all the struggles they go through."
Christine Fagan, a 30-year member of the Taunton School Committee, is a lifelong Catholic who attends Mass daily at St. Andrew’s in Taunton. “My faith is my guiding light,” said Fagan, saying it’s been there to help her during her worst times.
“I was shocked when I turned on the TV,” said Fagan, as she thought Pope Francis’s health was getting better.
“I feel it’s a loss. I genuinely believe he cared about humanity,” she said.
She said she believes Pope Francis “had good messaging” regarding inclusivity, and his legacy is “trying to bring more people into the faith.”
Fagan said, “She is interested in seeing what direction the Church will go in.”
She said she hopes the next Pope encourages people to get along better.
“We can agree to disagree, but you have to find that happy medium,” Fagan said.
Pope Francis remembered in Massachusetts as caring for others
Father Shawn Monahan OMV of St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine in Boston has been in the priesthood for 23 years. Monahan said mourning the holy father is like mourning a family member. He said he has worked through three different popes and the experience of losing the anchor of the church creates a void or emptiness, but all they can do is have faith in the process.
“Compassion for everyone is a legacy he is leaving behind,” Monahan said, “He has left us the gift of hope and healing for us to pick up and carry on.
“It’s the season of hope and surprises and the Holy Spirit is full of surprises," he said. “While many of our members will be mourning in the upcoming few days and weeks, I have great confidence that the Holy Spirit will call upon the next holy father.”
Stephanie Luiz, 24, who currently lives in Boston, is a member at St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine said she admired Pope Francis’ radical commitment to defending orthodox and simplistic observation.
“It was inspiring how he showed compassion and defended the poor,” Luiz said. “Whoever the next Pope is, I hope they are committed to loving Christ and a man of prayer.”
Quinn Cunningham, 25, from Brighton, said he’s glad Pope Francis was able to do one more Easter celebration before it was his time.
“His commitment to spread the good-heartedness and love of Jesus is what I most admired about him,” Cunningham said.
After the news broke about Pope Francis’ death, Mayor Michael Nicholson of Gardner, expressed admiration of the work the Pope did to “to do good in the world around him” through a Facebook post early this morning.
In the post, Nicholson said as a person of Latin heritage and someone who is actively trying to do good in the work he looked up to the Pope.
“Pope Francis set a strong example of truly living the Gospels as someone who genuinely cared for everyone,” he said. “I hope people continue to carry that legacy of care and compassion for others with them in his memory.”
What did the leadership of the Catholic church in Massachusetts say
Boston's new Archbishop Richard Henning said the pope, who was well-known for his defense of the poor, remains "a guiding light."
"I was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Pope Francis," Henning's official statement said. "His legacy as Holy Father is broad and deep. In his ministry and across his writings he has continuously called us to deeper faith and to a more generous participation in the boundless compassion of God. He has challenged us to turn away from selfish impulses and towards communion with others and respect for God's creation. I am personally grateful that he called me to the Episcopacy and entrusted me with the pastoral care of the Church of Boston. His example remains a guiding light to the Universal Church. Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph, may he rest in peace."
Henning was installed as the Archbishop of Boston on Oct. 31, but he has not been appointed to the College of Cardinals so he will not be voting in the upcoming conclave.
Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., of the Fall River Diocese shared the following reflection on the passing this morning, April 21, of Pope Francis. "When Pope Francis was elected, the first impression he gave to the world was of a humble servant of God and the Church. At his first appearance on the balcony of the Apostolic Palace in Rome to greet the people gathered in St. Peter’s Square, and those watching all over the world, his actions already signaled that he was a profoundly spiritual and humble man. In a gesture that remains indelibly marked in people’s mind, he bowed down and asked them to pray for him. The next day, headlines around the world captured that gesture and focused on the virtue of humility.
"I had the honor of meeting Pope Francis just a few months later when he presided at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in July 2013. One of the events included his meeting and lunch with all Brazilian Bishops. Since I am a Brazilian myself, I was able to get a ticket to take part in that meeting and luncheon. I was able to greet him personally and have a picture taken with him on that memorable occasion.
"Another unforgettable experience I had was when the bishops of New England gathered with him at the Vatican during our Ad Limina visit in 2019. Seated in a circle with him, each of us addressed a question to him and he patiently answered each one, giving an in-depth answer no matter what the subject was. We spent well over an hour with him, and he was a real brother to all of us. Then, as we concluded, each of us had the opportunity to offer a personal greeting."
Climate change and Catholics: Massachusetts leaders connect with the pope
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey shared her condolences. Healey, who was raised Catholic, met the pope in 2024 as part of a climate change conference hosted by the pope.
“I join with my fellow Catholics and people around the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. His essence of compassion, humility and unbounded hope gave us joy, peace, direction and resolve. I am forever grateful for the honor to have met Pope Francis and been touched by his warmth, kindness and humor," she wrote.
"His life was a commitment to our sacred responsibility to care for others, especially the most vulnerable among us. In no other realm was that more evident than his dedication to climate, human rights, immigrant communities and the working poor," Healey statement continued. "He strove to make the Church more inclusive and welcoming, and he led by reminding us of the dignity and worth of every person. His being will endure in the hearts of those he inspired. May he rest in eternal peace.”
Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey also released a statement on the pope's death. Markey had met the pope in 2014, where they also discussed climate change.
"I join the world in mourning the loss of Pope Francis, the people’s Pope, who reminded us that no matter our faith, we are all caretakers of creation. His legacy of compassion, inclusion, stewardship, and justice will continue to be a roadmap for our world," Markey said.
Legacy on sexual abuse
For some, there's a "painful legacy" to Pope Francis' tenure that cannot be ignored.
"The legacy of Pope Francis is a tragedy for survivors. What survivors in Buenos Aires have known all along is that he covered up cases of sexual abuse when he was the Archbishop Bergoglio of Buenos Aires," Sarah Pearson, Deputy Director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. "He had an opportunity to atone for his actions by doing what survivors have been demanding for years: enact a binding and universal zero tolerance law in the Catholic Church which would mean immediately removing all known abusers from ministry. He failed to do this. As a result, thousands of vulnerable people have been abused. This painful legacy cannot be ignored."
There have been hundreds of documented cases of clergy sexual abuse in Massachusetts. Cases continue to be tried.
Pearson said this period of mourning is difficult as many will praise Pope Francis, while she believes he could have done more.
"Today is a difficult day for us - as praise pours in from around the world, we are mourning all the lives that have been damaged by sexual abuse - the childhoods interrupted, the bodies and voices stolen, and the transformation of places of worship to scenes of horrific crimes," she said in an email. "This was preventable. If our abusers had been removed from ministry after the first instance of abuse, our community would be much smaller."
A legacy to accept immigrants and St. Francis of Assissi
“I join the millions of people around the world mourning the passing of Pope Francis, a transformational leader whose humility, compassion, and moral clarity touched the lives of so many," said Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D- Massachusetts 3rd District). "Born in Argentina to an immigrant family, Pope Francis brought a unique and powerful perspective to the papacy – one grounded in empathy for the marginalized and a deep understanding of the struggles facing ordinary people. His decision to become the first pope to choose St. Francis of Assisi as his papal namesake was a profound reflection of his commitment to humility, peace, and care for the poor, values that guided every step of his leadership."
"Whether advocating for the most vulnerable, calling on global leaders to act on climate change, or urging the Church to be a more welcoming place for all, Pope Francis led with a spirit of love and service," Trahand continued. "His legacy will endure in the countless lives he uplifted and the hope he brought to those who have too often felt unseen. May he rest in peace.”
This was a sentiment echoed by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren in her statement.
“Pope Francis was a force for good. He will be remembered for his empathy for the most vulnerable among us, his advocacy for action on climate change, and his leadership to make the Church a welcoming place for all — which made so many people feel seen. My heart is with people across the world today mourning his loss.”
Congressman Jim McGovern, who is a Catholic, offered his own statement.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Pope Francis," he wrote. "His Holiness led with courage and compassion—and he understood that faith is about more than words, it’s about action. He didn’t just talk about feeding the hungry—he fed the hungry. He didn’t just denounce oppression—he fought for justice. He defended the dignity of immigrants and worked to end war and bring about peace. And in doing so, he taught people of all faiths how to live with integrity and purpose. For me, Pope Francis has been a source of hope and inspiration in difficult times. I hope his successor carries forward his vision of a Church that puts faith into action and leads with humility and service by caring for the most vulnerable among us.”
Frank Mulligan, Emilia Cardona, Sue Schible and Margie Cullen contributed to this article.