Roman Catholics on P.E.I. mourn the passing of Pope Francis
Pontiff's passing was announced by the Vatican early Monday morning
Catholics across Prince Edward Island are mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away early Monday morning at the age of 88.
In recent months, the Pope had been battling health issues. He spent five weeks in the hospital beginning in February after a bout of bronchitis developed into pneumonia.
"We knew that his death was imminent, and yet it was a shock when Monday, we woke up and learned that the Pope passed away," said Bishop Joseph Dabrowski, the spiritual leader of the Diocese of Charlottetown .
"Now we need to pray for his soul and be united in prayer with the Catholic Church and reflect with spirit of gratitude, thanksgiving for his work and ministry and his pastoral great care."
Dabrowski said he had the personal privilege of meeting the Pope on four occasions.
"Each encounter I met with remains close to my heart, and I experienced his genuine pastoral care, warmth, simplicity and joy rooted in the gospel, so beautiful moments," the bishop said.
"In 2015, he was the one who called me to episcopate and I will forever be grateful for that."
Reflecting on the Pope's legacy
As Bishop of the Diocese of Charlottetown, Dabrowski will soon pen a letter to Catholics on the Island through this time of mourning.
In it, he plans to reflect on Pope Francis's 12-year papacy committed to empathy and care for the poor and marginalized.
"Pope Francis showed us what it means to love God with our hearts and soul and mind. He served the Catholic faith faithfully," Dabrowski said.
"He was known for his great humility, his trust in God's mercy, care for the poor, and his desire for peace and dialogue with our people. He encouraged the Church to listen, walk together and care for one another in our creation."
Dabrowski also highlighted the Pope's historic visit to Canada in 2022, where he undertook what he called a six-day "pilgrimage of penance" in Alberta, Quebec and Nunavut, walking alongside Indigenous peoples on a path of healing and reconciliation.
The Pope also weighed in on various global issues, including calling on world leaders for an urgent response to the climate crisis, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and urging for peace in Ukraine.
"Globally, he inspired millions through his humility, simplicity and the courage to speak prophetically on issues that matter," Dabrowski said.
What's next
As the Catholic Church observes the Octave of Easter, Dabrowski said there typically shouldn't be any kind of masses specifically on death.
However, the College of Cardinals can provide a dispensation for Pope Francis's funeral, he said. That funeral will take place on Saturday.
"In each diocese, we'll have a memorial mass, and we'll invite people to be with me and priests, and we just continue to pray for the College of Cardinals and be in touch with all the information that we'll be receiving," he said.
Cardinals from around the world are now heading to Rome to take part in the conclave to elect the next pope.
"We are now waiting for the Holy Spirit that through the College of Cardinals, he will, like the Pope has always been in the past, select the right Pope for the right time."
With files from Island Morning