Elected officials from across Massachusetts mourned the death of Pope Francis, an Argentine who local politicians celebrated as a “force for good” and someone who brought a “unique” perspective to the papacy.
Francis, 88, suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man. He was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.
Gov. Maura Healey, a Catholic who had a private audience with the pope last year, said Francis’ “essence of compassion, humility and unbounded hope gave us joy, peace, direction and resolve.”
“I am forever grateful for the honor to have met Pope Francis and been touched by his warmth, kindness, and humor. His life was a commitment to our sacred responsibility to care for others, especially the most vulnerable among us,” Healey said.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Francis would be remembered for his empathy for the most vulnerable people, his action on climate change, and his efforts to make the Catholic Church “a welcoming place for all.”
“My heart is with people across the world today mourning his loss,” Warren said in a statement.
U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan said Francis brought a “unique and powerful perspective to the papacy – one grounded in empathy for the marginalized and a deep understanding of the struggles facing ordinary people.”
“Whether advocating for the most vulnerable, calling on global leaders to act on climate change, or urging the Church to be a more welcoming place for all, Pope Francis led with a spirit of love and service. His legacy will endure in the countless lives he uplifted and the hope he brought to those who have too often felt unseen,” Trahan said in a statement.
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal said Francis became one of the most consequential leaders “of our time, serving as a pope for all people.”
“His humanitarian work was awe-inspiring, dating back many decades when he served the most vulnerable across Argentina, never faltering in his mission of serving the poor. Pope Francis strove to make the Church a beacon of mercy, unity, and service, reminding us that earth and all of its people are made in God’s image,” Neal said.
U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark said Francis was “beloved as the People’s Pope.”
“His legacy of humility, courage, and compassionate leadership will continue to inspire generations to come,” Clark said on social media.
U.S. Rep. Bill Keating said Francis, through his deeds, “was to Catholics and non-Catholics alike a humble yet blinding beacon of love and humanity.”
U.S. Sen. Ed Markey said Francis “reminded us that no matter our faith, we are all caretakers of creation.”
“His legacy of compassion, inclusion, stewardship, and justice will continue to be a roadmap for our world,” Markey said in a statement.
Francis’ death was announced Monday morning in Rome.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell said from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived.
Materials from the Associated Press were used in this report.