Youngstown Bishop David Bonnar has issued a statement following the death of Pope Francis early Monday morning.

Bishop Bonnar says the Pope's death is a "cause of great sadness" for the entire Catholic Church and for him personally as a Bishop chosen by him five years ago.

"The Holy Father in word and deed brought a pastoral vision to the Church centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He reintroduced us to the vocabulary of Jesus that includes such realities as joy, love, hope, mercy, encounter, accompaniment, listening and compassion," Bishop Bonnar said.

Bishop Bonnar will celebrate Pope Francis at a mass at the Saint Columba Cathedral at 12:10 p.m. Monday.

The Bishop's full statement can be read below.

"The news of Pope Francis' death today is a cause of great sadness for the whole Church and certainly for me personally as a bishop chosen by him nearly five years ago."

The Holy Father in word and deed brought a pastoral vision to the Church centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He reintroduced to us the vocabulary of Jesus that includes such realities as joy, love, hope, mercy, encounter, accompaniment, listening, and compassion."

"In this Easter Octave we behold the great mystery of our faith that climaxes in the resurrection. May Pope Francis see the face of God today."

Bonnar describes the pope’s legacy as one full of surprises.

“He understood the nuances of life and of human nature and of the heart,” he said. “He truly was of the spirit; he was led and guided and powered by the spirit.” 

Bonnar said he was stunned by the Pope's sudden death and remembered his special connection with him after being chosen to be a bishop in 2020. In 2022, Bonnar got the chance to meet with the Pope in Italy. He said they briefly exchanged words as a photographer snapped a picture of the two shaking hands. 

“It's a picture that I cherish and will cherish forever,” Bishop Bonnar said. 

Another daily reminder of the Pope hangs in Bonnar’s office. A papal bull or formal decree of being a servant of God was presented to him when he became a bishop. On the bottom of the decree in very small letters is Pope Francis’s signature.

“I look at that every day as a reminder of the mandate that is mine to shepherd the flock here,” Bonnar said. 

Bonnar called the pope's final months an inspiration as he carried out his promise to God even through sickness.

“I feel the loss but there's a great legacy here, a legacy  that we need to keep alive, the vision is there we need now to become that voice and go to the peripheries and live out to gospel,” he said. 

The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown will hold a special mass in memory of Pope Francis Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m. at Saint Columba Cathedral.

Other reactions came from local, state and national officials including Ohio Governor Mike DeWine who said Pope Francis was an "inspiration to millions around the world."

"His genuine love of and devotion to all people – the poor, the unborn, those without a home, those emigrating to build a better life for themselves and their families, those of all faiths, and those with no faith – was evidenced to the world from the day he was selected to serve as Pope until his last public appearance on Easter Sunday," DeWine said.

Shenango Valley-based Pennsylvania Representative Mike Kelly also released a statement. 

“Today, I join my fellow Catholics in mourning the loss of Pope Francis. Throughout his papacy, he symbolized and championed peace and a better world for all. May we continue the Pope’s mission in our daily lives," Kelly said.

The Catholic Diocese of Erie, which represents Mercer County also released a statement.

"Through his teachings, writings and personal witness, Pope Francis demonstrated this hope by showing us the path of discipleship—one that is rooted in prayer and nourished by the sacraments. He constantly reminded us of our call to be instruments of peace and mercy," said the Most Rev. Lawrence T. Perisco.

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