Southern California Catholics react to Pope Francis’ death: 'I will miss him big time'

Southern California’s Catholic community were left reeling Monday by the news of Pope Francis’ death. The pontiff, the first non-European head of the Roman Catholic Church in more than a millennium, died at age 88, Vatican officials announced Monday morning.

At an afternoon mass at the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles, Archbishop of Los Angeles José H. Gomez honored Francis, saying his feelings were very personal: “I will miss him big time.”

“ In our conversations, Pope Francis and I will always speak in Spanish. He was the first pope from the Americas and the first who spoke Spanish as his native language,” Gomez said. “I always, always remember his passion and the urgency he felt about the church's mission and I will also remember his sense of humor.”

In an earlier statement, Gomez said he was remembering the pope’s "many kindnesses and expressions of pastoral care for us here in Los Angeles."

Gomez said the community should continue the pope’s “work of serving the poor, the migrant, and all who are forgotten on society’s “peripheries.””

Francis has spoken out against the exploitation of the earth’s resources and has repeatedly highlighted the effects of the human-caused climate crisis.

Gomez echoed some of those sentiments in his statement, calling for the “caring for our common home, which is the earth, and in building a world that respects the sanctity and dignity of all human life.”

Bishop Kevin Vann of the Orange County Diocese called Francis “a powerful example to us all.”

“His witness has profoundly shaped our own mission as a diocese, inspiring us to be a Church that is not turned in on itself but one that goes out, serving the poor, welcoming the lost and walking alongside all who seek Christ,” according to the statement from the O.C. Diocese.

Richard Zaldivar, a gay Catholic community leader and executive director of The Wall Las Memorias Project, said he would travel to Rome for Francis’ funeral arrangements if not for prior commitments.

“ It's a sad day,” he said, his voice breaking. “He was an incredible leader in our church, he was truly a pastor for the world, not only for Catholics and Christians, but for all denominations. You know, he spoke to the marginalized communities of the world.”

Zaldivar, who was at the mass Monday afternoon, said in the upcoming days, he’ll be praying for a successor “who could truly lead the church into a new generation that really represents and speaks to the marginalized communities of the world.”

“Ahead of his time”

Zaldivar also said Francis was “ahead of his time.”

“He cleaned out the corruption that took place in finances. He didn't care if he made enemies by doing that,” he said. “Another thing that I am so appreciative of this Ponta, is the fact how he dealt with the sexual abuse issues. You know, he did not waiver.”

While Francis acknowledged the long standing sexual abuses by priests and bishops, he also said the problem persists.

"He emphasized that that kind of harm should stop,” said Bartolo Delgado.

He stopped by St. Matthew Catholic Church in Long Beach Monday morning to donate some clothes and said it was important that Francis was a Spanish speaking, Latin American pope.

Cain Correa grew up attending St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Long Beach. He admired Francis for speaking to Congress nearly 10 years ago on issues that could “help out in everyday life.”

“He's a great holy man. I mean, he's a good man devoted himself to God, you know, as we all should,” he said. “Maybe not all in the same way he did, but you know, try to be better humans.”

Correa said the Catholic Church can do more to help people’s needs, such as homelessness.

Yunuen Trujillo, an attorney with CHIRLA and founder of LGBT Catholics, said Francis emphasized interconnectedness in his sermons.

 ”He was very much aware that everything is interconnected and that poverty and environmental, climate change and other issues are the cost of migration,” she said. “He has left us with a better understanding of what it means to be good Catholics which is to have a holistic view of justice and fighting for everyone who's left out.”

Trujillo said she is still processing her grief, but in coming weeks she’ll be planning events in person and virtual with other LGBT+ Catholics to honor Francis.

Upcoming events:

• Bishop Kevin Vann of the Orange County Diocese will pray for the soul of Pope Francis at the Divine Mercy mass at Christ Cathedral (12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove), 10 a.m., Sunday, April 27.