UPDATE AT 1:53 P.M. on April 21: As Catholics across the world mourn the death of Pope Francis, local church leaders in Milwaukee are pausing to reflect on the legacy of a pope they say changed the heart of the church.
Archbishop Jeffery Grob, who was appointed to lead the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Pope Francis in November, called him “a shepherd who walked with his flock,” highlighting his dedication to mercy, inclusion, and outreach to the marginalized.
“The man died as he lived. He was a pastor,” Grob says.
“He was a shepherd. He was always going out and how often we’ve heard the word accompaniment that was to be so linked to his pontificate. Always going out to people and even in his sickness even giving Easter eggs, I believe, to Vice President Vance’s children. That’s the man who he was and who he consistently was. A 12-year pontificate draws to a close. A man of faith lived. And how wonderful that this gracious shepherd returned to the Lord on the Easter Monday, the day after Easter. So consistent to the end. And so as a church, we mourn. He touched many lives in many ways over the past 12 years.”
Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Jeff Haines noted how Pope Francis leadership extended beyond the church’s walls and how considerate the Pope had been throughout his 12-year tenure. He went into detail about his times meeting the Pope and how every time was an honor.
“[Auxiliary Bishop] Jim [Schuerman] and I were together at the baby bishop school in September of 2017. And at the end of the classes, you have that chance to meet him. And so you’re in that long line that Archbishop Grob talked about. I was thinking, ’Well, what do I say to the Pope?’ So I got up there and a lot of the guys were introducing themselves, and I thought, he’s not going to. That’s not going to mean much to him. What’s interesting is that when they started to come up, they all wanted to kiss his ring. And then after a while, he said, ‘No, no, no.’ He wasn’t into the fancy type things. He just wanted to greet us. So I said to him ‘Holy Father, I want to thank you for being Pope.’ He just said to me, ’Pray for me’, which I thought was beautiful.”
Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Bishop James Schuerman echoed these sentiments, saying Pope Francis always had a message that resonated not only with himself, but with the entirety of the church. He had a unique ability to connect with people on a personal level.
“He is the pope who really proclaimed the joy of the gospel and called all of us to be missionary disciples in this world to go forth to proclaim the good news, mainly by the way we live our lives,” Bishop Schuerman said.
“He had a great compassion for the poor, for the migrants, for those on the margins of society, greatcompassion and love for all those who struggle in this world. He also had a way of calling all of us to be signs of hope for the world. We are in the year of jubilee, and the main theme for this year is hope. In order to bring hope to this world, Pope Francis encouraged us to be signs of hope to the poor, signs of hope to the youth, signs of hope to all those who struggle in this world. For that reason Pope Francis has been really a special messenger of love and peace in this world for me.”
All three leaders say Pope Francis’ death is a moment of grief, but also a call to reflect on the direction of the church–and the example he leaves behind.
Churches across Milwaukee will be offering special masses this week in remembrance, as the global church prepares for the process of selecting a next Pope.
MILWAUKEE — As the Catholic community begins a period of mourning following the death of Pope Francis, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is formally reacting to news of the pontiff’s passing.
Archbishop Jeffrey Grob, who was appointed by Pope Francis to his position last November following former Archbishop Jerome Listecki’s retirement, had kind words when reflecting on Pope Francis’s twelve year tenure as head of the Catholic Church.
“A twelve year pontificate draws to a close, and how wonderful that this gracious shepherd returned to the Lord on the day after Easter. He touched many lives in many ways over the past twelve years.” said Archbishop Grob during a press conference Monday at the Archdiocese of Milwaukee pastoral center.
He added that his hope for the next leader of the church is that he will be a man capable of bringing in those who have left the Church. “We best hope to pray that someone is elected that can walk a middle course.”
The following statement from Archbishop Jeffrey Grob was released earlier Monday morning:
On the morning following joyous celebrations of Easter throughout the world, we are awakened by the painful announcement that Pope Francis has died.
Our hearts are saddened by the passing of a man whose tremendous faith and vision shepherded the Church through many challenges over the course of the past 12 years.
Although we now grieve, we take solace in the words of the Risen Christ who in today’s gospel encountered Mary Magdalene and the other Mary coming from the tomb and told them, “Do not be afraid.”
As people of faith, we turn to the One who is the Resurrection and the Life and ask him to receive Pope Francis into the halls of the heavenly banquet and to give him eternal rest.
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