Special to The Message
Bishop Joseph M. Siegel of the Diocese of Evansville has provided the following statement on the passing of Pope Francis:
“With great sadness, yet with profound hope in the resurrection, we received the news of the death of Pope Francis. We are grateful to God for his Petrine ministry over the past 12 years. He was truly a loving father and pastor of God’s people. Like his patron, St. Francis of Assisi, we witnessed his special concern for the poor, the outcast, and the sick, as well as for our common home. I ask all the people of the Diocese of Evansville to pray for him, that the Good Shepherd will grant him a merciful judgement and welcome him into the joy and peace of the Father’s Kingdom. We also pray for the whole Church during this time of mourning and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the College of Cardinals prepares to elect a new Supreme Pontiff. May Mary, Mother of the Church, intercede for us.”