Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

POPE FRANCIS

Local Catholic community mourns passing of Pope Francis

Apr 21, 2025 | 5:03 PM

KAMLOOPS — As news of the passing of Pope Francis made its way through different time zones, those who attended an Easter Monday service Kamloops were somewhat surprised to hear of it.

“I have students in Italy right now who were texting me at about 3:00 a.m. our time letting me know that the Holy Father had passed,” Chris Moraes explained to CFJC on his way out of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Kamloops Monday morning (April 21). “Obviously, this is something we were preparing for but he was at Saint Peter’s yesterday for the Easter services and so we thought maybe he’s on the mend.”

“Were you surprised to hear of his passing?” CFJC asked another parishioner.

“Well no, it’s been very precarious for a while,” she replied. “God rest his soul. I’ve been praying for him. I will continue to pray.”

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Moraes says he met the Pope on more than one occasion, through work and other capacities. Those interactions highlighted what Moraes notes was a compassionate approach, with Pope Francis dedicating attention to marginalized populations and vocalizing the need to combat climate change.

“It was certainly a different style than we’ve seen from other popes in my lifetime,” notes Moraes.

Chris Moraes showing CFJC photos of meeting Pope Francis. (Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today)

In a statement Monday, the Bishop of the Diocese of Kamloops expressed sorrow, while commending the recent efforts Francis made to reconcile with Indigenous people during a Papal trip to Canada in 2022, alongside a historic apology for abuses that occurred in the Indian Residential School system.

“Pope Francis also called us to walk together as a synodal Church — to listen, to discern, and to accompany one another, especially those on the peripheries. His historic pilgrimage to Canada in 2022, and his heartfelt apology to Indigenous Peoples, were acts of courage and humility, and they have left an indelible mark on the path of truth, reconciliation, and healing in our land.” —Joseph Phuong Nguyen, Bishop of Kamloops.

In the coming days, parishioners in Kamloops will be tuned in to the Vatican to see who will be the next pontiff.

“All the cardinals will be travelling to Rome for the conclave, which people will be watching very closely. And it will be interesting because many cardinals who are appointed by Francis are similar to him in their approach and their theology,” adds Moraes. “My guess is that we will see a pope much like him who will follow in his footsteps. Maybe a Francis the Second.”