Catholics around the world are mourning the death of Pope Francis, the first non-European leader of the Roman Catholic Church in more than 1,000 years. The pope died early Monday in Rome at the age of 88. The Vatican said the cause of the death was a stroke.
The news has struck a deep chord in Guam, home to a deeply Catholic community.
Archbishop Ryan P. Jimenez of the Archdiocese of Agaña said the pope’s death has already left “a big hole in our hearts.” He joins Catholic leaders around the globe in honoring the life and legacy of the pontiff, who has served as pope since 2013.
Guam Congressman James Moylan also paid tribute, calling Francis’ passing “a great loss for humanity,” and adding that “his legacy of love and empathy will continue to impact generations to come.”
Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio issued a joint statement offering condolences. They highlighted Francis’ moral courage and outspoken leadership on global issues, including climate change, social inequality, and the plight of marginalized communities.
Sen. Tina Muna Barnes reflected on Francis’ inclusive legacy, saying he “showed how faith can be present and thriving in a modern world, while still being respectful and reverent to a rich and sacred past.”
Sen. Will Parkinson also shared a tribute, describing Francis as “a voice of compassion, humility, and courage in a time that desperately needed it.”
Leaders across the broader Pacific region have also responded. The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), based in Fiji, expressed its condolences on behalf of Christian communities across the region. Reverend James Bhagwan, General Secretary of the PCC, praised Francis’ “ecumenical spirit and commitment to social and ecological justice,” particularly his leadership “grounded in compassion for the vulnerable, ‘the least’ among us.”
Bhagwan also pointed to the significance of Francis’ encyclicals Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum, calling them prophetic declarations for ecological conversion and a call to end fossil fuel dependence and corporate exploitation of creation.
"We call the Pasifika Household of God to pray for the soul of the late pontiff, for a faith community in mourning, and for those who will soon seek divine wisdom in electing Pope Francis' successor as Bishop of Rome," Bhagwan said.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was the first Jesuit pope and the first from Latin America. His papacy was marked by a focus on humility, social justice, and inclusion within the Church.
