MAE O’MALLEY / ASST. NEWS EDITOR

On Easter Monday, Pope Francis died from a stroke and heart failure in the Vatican. The Pope was seen just the day before on Easter Sunday greeting patrons in Vatican City, which marked his first major appearance since his hospitalization. 

As the first Jesuit pope and the first pope from the Americas, Pope Francis was revolutionary in his efforts to combat climate change, encourage world peace and foster inclusive environments throughout the Catholic church. 

USD sophomore Ray Servin felt the loss of the Pope in his own personal community.

“I was raised Catholic, but I’m not even that religious anymore and I still loved him,” Servin said. “I’m also Mexican, and he was really influential for the Latino community. The whole country is kind of in a period of mourning. End of an era. He was a king.” 

USD released a statement on Pope Francis’ death hours after the news broke. 

“Pope Francis never wavered in his pursuit of peace and justice and was courageous in confronting humanity’s greatest challenges,” the University stated in an email. “He embodied what we hope every graduate of USD will view as their mission in life; to foster peace, work for justice and lead with love.” 

On Wednesday evening, Founders Chapel hosted a memorial mass in honor of his Holiness.  Father Gregory McGivern, USD’s University Chaplain, led mourners through a prayer service that commemorated the pontiff’s life. 

“He showed us by word and action that solidarity with the poor and vulnerable is not just words, but looking into their faces, touching their flesh, sensing their closeness and trying to help them,” Father McGivern declared. 

Many   USD   students   attended the service to pay their respects to the leader of the Catholic Church. One of these students was USD sophomore Silvia Valencia, who attended the mass to hear others’ thoughts on the pope. 

“The homily was very touching,” Valencia said. “[Father McGivern] reminded us of the legacy and main purpose of Pope Francis’s papacy. He 

reminded us that hope, empathy, compassion, kindness and being welcoming was what the Pope continually asked of us.” 

As a worldwide figurehead, those who are not Catholic or religious have still felt the loss of the pope. USD senior Angelina Gatpandan shared her emotions regarding the pontiff’s death. 

“I wasn’t raised religious, but I definitely  feel  the  loss  in  the  sense that he was really progressive and did a lot for the Catholic community,” Gatpandan said.  

Cardinals from around the world have begun their journeys to Rome to commence voting for the next pope — a process referred to as a papal conclave. 

Among those being considered is Cardinal Peter Erdo of Budapest, who opposes divorced and remarried Catholics being allowed to receive Communion. 

Cardinal  Luis    Antonio  Gokim   Tagle of   Manila is  another potential candidate. Cardinal Tagle was a close acquaintance of the deceased pope and criticized the church’s harsh view on members of the LGBTQ+ community and unwed mothers. 

Bishop Francois-Xavier Bustillo of Ajaccio, France is another frontrunner and one of the youngest members of the college of  cardinals  at 56 years old. 

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Beunsugu of  Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo would  be the first  Black  pope and is among those who oppose Francis’s blessing of same-sex couples. 

Another potential pope, the Archbishop Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, Myanmar has frequently spoken out against the violence that Catholic regions in his country face. 

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa of Jerusalem is another top consideration and is the archbishop for Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan and Cyprus. The college of Cardinals will vote on Pope Francis’ successor 15 to 20 days from the day that he died. Until then, many await to see who will be chosen as the next pontiff and continue to mourn the deceased pope.   

The pope’s casket has been sealed and buried at St. Peter’s Basilica. Photo courtesy of @vaticannews/Instagram