River Region Catholics Mourn Death of Pope Francis
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) — The Catholic community in the River Region is mourning the death of Pope Francis, just days after the joyful Easter celebrations.
The Archdiocese of Mobile, which includes Montgomery, is home to about 75,000 Catholics. For many, the news of the pope’s death has brought sadness and reflection on his life and legacy.
At Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, students are greeted each day by a photo of Pope Francis at the front entrance — a symbol of his presence and impact.
“Pope Francis was a pope who sought to reach out to people who were often forgotten,” said Tom Riello, director of faith formation at the school. “He would appoint cardinals from places like Haiti or Thailand — regions many overlook — because everybody matters.”
Father Den Irwin of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Prattville echoed the sentiment, praising the pope’s compassion.
“We thank God for Pope Francis and all the great things that he did — his care for people, the poor, and those on the margins. He encouraged us to put our faith into action,” Irwin said.
Although students are out of school this week for Easter Octave, Riello said many have reached out to him with questions and reflections about the pope’s passing.
“I’ve gotten emails from students and families about what it all means,” he said. “One thing I’ve reminded them is that the Church is in the hands of the Lord. It’s not my Church. It’s not the pope’s Church. It’s Jesus Christ’s Church, and because of that, we are in good hands.”
Father Irwin compared the current mourning to the public reaction following the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005.
“You saw people who hadn’t been to church in years, or ever, come back and want to pray. They felt a strong sense of loss,” he said. “Even though Pope Francis served for just 12 years, I think he touched people’s hearts in a similar way. I expect many will be moved to reconnect with their faith.”
Riello added a message of hope, saying, “Yes, we still have death to face, but death has been defeated in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That’s the hope we offer to all people, especially those who feel hopeless in a world that can often be cruel and dark. The light of Christ shines brightly.”
Catholic churches across the River Region will offer Masses in the coming days for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul. Catholics worldwide are observing a traditional nine-day mourning period.
Riello noted that more than 500 people have joined the Catholic Church this year in the Archdiocese of Mobile — a sign of continued growth and faith in the community.
