UPDATED: April 22, 2025
After the Vatican announced the death of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, early morning Monday, global and Southern California officials mourned the leader of the Catholic Church who was known for his humility and inclusive – at times controversial – views.
The late Holy Father, a member of the Jesuit order, was 88 years old. He was known for his outspoken voice on issues from climate change to immigrant rights, offering a more welcoming position toward LGBTQ+ people, and calling for peace in war-torn areas, including Gaza.
“Pope Francis saw God in all His creatures, reminding us of humanity’s obligations towards each other and the world we live in, asking us to ‘care for one another and let us be loving custodians of creation,’” California Gov. Gavin Newsom shared in a statement.
“As we mourn His Holiness, we honor him by choosing to believe that a better world is possible through grace and kindness, and through fellowship with our neighbors, no matter our differences.”
Local officials from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), which includes Rep. Norma Torres (CA-35) among others, were “deeply saddened by the passing of Pope Francis, a fellow Latino who inspired millions and spoke for empathy and civility.”
“Francis set the example of delivering humanity where others brought dark ambition to the table. We will remember his courage to buck global ideological trends that seek to separate and oppress the most vulnerable.”
Local Catholic leaders also mourned the 266th pope, elected in March 2013.
Catholics mourn the passing of Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Monday, April 21, 2025. The Latin American pope, who was 88 and made his last public appearance on Easter Sunday, was beloved by many for his humility and inclusiveness but was seen as controversial by some conservatives. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez prayed for the late Holy Father, noting that his death occurred in “the beautiful Easter season… when we celebrate our hope in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
“In this moment I find myself reflecting with gratitude on the Holy Father’s many kindnesses and expressions of pastoral care for us here in Los Angeles,” Gomez said in a statement.
Gomez recalled the Pope’s aid in appointing auxiliary bishops to help serve the massive L.A. archdiocese, offering prayers and consolation after the recent L.A. wildfires, and his “fraternal comfort” after the sudden death of Bishop David O’Connell in 2023.
He asked the faithful to follow the Pope’s mission of respecting life, caring for the environment, the poor, migrants, and “all forgotten on society’s ‘peripheries.’”
“In this time of mourning, my prayer is that all of us in the church will honor Pope Francis’ legacy by remembering that he called us to urgent tasks that are still not finished,” he said.
On Monday, the L.A. archbishop celebrated a Mass honoring the Pope at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.
Bishop Alberto Rojas of the Diocese of San Bernardino, who recently joined faith communities in a “Walk for Immigrant Justice” in Riverside, echoed the calls of the late Pope to “go out to the margins of society to listen to the wounded ones, the poor and disenfranchised, to welcome all of them in the Church.”
“The papacy of Pope Francis was marked by his humility,” Rojas said. “He was a free man who was not afraid to speak to us plainly about the need to change old processes, systems and thought patterns that he believed had taken us away from the Gospel. We give thanks to God for the fresh and revolutionary spirit of our Holy Father!”
In a joint statement, the three bishops from the Diocese of Orange also mourned the loss, saying Francis was a “shepherd who embodied the Gospel.”
“Like Pope Saint John Paul II, he was called to eternal life during the Octave of Easter – the Resurrection of the Lord. His most recent Encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Corde Amoris (Delixit Nos), is especially appropriate to read and reflect on at this time,” Bishop Kevin Vann said. “And throughout his papacy, his faithful witness as a Shepherd — especially in the face of physical struggles — remained a powerful example to us all.”
California’s two senators also paid their respects.
“Pope Francis walked humbly, loved mercifully and pursued justice with God — not just in word, but in deed,” said Sen. Adam Schiff. He sought to heal a world too often fractured by hate.”
Sen. Alex Padilla said that Francis “led and lived by example, with humility and compassion for all.” He was inspired by the late Pope’s efforts “to challenge traditions and reform the Catholic Church to make it more welcoming and inclusive.”
“His advocacy for migrants and for peace around the world will leave a resounding impact,” Padilla added. “May we continue to draw inspiration from his leadership to protect the world we inhabit and those most vulnerable in our society.”
On Monday, Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Huntington Beach, honored the Holy Father who “touched the lives of billions of Catholics worldwide, including nearly 5 million Catholics in Orange and Los Angeles counties, through his spiritual leadership, words of healing, and infinite love for humanity.”
Rep. Dave Min, D-Irvine, called Francis a “beacon of love, truth and empathy — values that are increasingly rare today. Pope Francis was not only a great leader, he was a moral conscience for the world.”
Reps. Nanette Barragán, D-Carson, and Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach, were both “deeply saddened” to hear the news.
“Pope Francis was a transformational figure in the Catholic Church — our first Pope from South America and a warm and engaging Pope for the people,” Barragán said, praising the Pope’s outspoken voice “on issues he believed the church should lead on — like migration and climate change.”
“He was a moral and compassionate man who stood with marginalized people, and worked to make the Catholic Church a more accepting and inclusive place,” said Garcia. “He was an exceptional and kind leader. May he rest in peace.”
Francis “used his pulpit to uplift the oppressed, the destitute, the poor, and all those people pushed to the margins. He bade the powerful to not be indifferent or cruel,” shared Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside. “May we all strive to live up to his example in our own way.”
Local officials also paid tribute to the late pontiff.
Pope Francis “lived to see his final Easter yesterday,” said Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen. Supervisor Katrina Foley called him her “favorite Pope.”
L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn recalled meeting the pope when he addressed Congress in 2015, and was “struck by his humility and kindness.”
Francis “reached millions of hearts with his words on the greatest challenges facing our world, from war to poverty to climate change to the marginalization of LGBTQ+ people.”
Francis “brought a fresh and deeply human perspective to the Catholic Church and to the world,” said L.A. Supervisor Hilda Solis in her remarks. “He challenged us to confront poverty, care for our planet, and uplift the dignity of women in the Church and beyond. His words and actions resonated far beyond the walls of any one faith.”
Originally Published: April 21, 2025 at 9:03 AM PDT
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