Maine religious leaders and members of the Catholic community are mourning the death of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, who is being remembered for his charm and humble leadership.

Pope Francis appears on the central lodge of St. Peter’s Basilica to bestow a blessing at the end of the Easter mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Sunday. Gregorio Borgia/Associated Press

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced Francis’ death Monday morning from the Domus Santa Marta chapel, where the 88-year-old pope lived.

Francis’ legacy “will be one of mercy and compassion, but also of hope,” Bishop James T. Ruggieri, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, said in a written statement posted on social media. “In this Jubilee Year, may we honor Pope Francis by carrying on his mission and living as pilgrims of hope.”

Ruggieri said he saw Francis’ resilience when the pontiff appeared at Holy Week events last week despite his physical condition. The bishop noted that each Catholic Church prayed for the pope by name at every Mass.

“He reminded us of the importance of mercy and encouraged us to image God as a merciful father,” Ruggieri said in a statement. “He encouraged us to be mindful of the poor and marginalized. He called us to greater responsibility in our stewardship of our ‘common home,’ the earth. He taught and modeled the importance of listening, dialogue and fraternity.”

The Portland Diocese covers the entire state. According to the diocese’s statistics, 286,095 people in Maine, or 21% of the state’s population, identified as Catholic in 2022.

‘LED BY EXAMPLE’

The Rev. Daniel Greenleaf of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston spoke Monday with words of sorrow, reverence and quiet reflection on the pontiff’s legacy as the leader of the church and the roughly 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide during his 12-plus years. Greenleaf said a Mass for the repose of the soul would be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the basilica at 122 Ash St. in Lewiston.

Greenleaf described a deep sense of loss but also peace in knowing the pope is now “home with his Father that he served so faithfully in his life.” He emphasized the simplicity of Francis’ faith and his commitment to those in need as guiding examples.

“I think for us it’s a time of uncertainty, because we’re not really quite sure what direction the church will go now. We’re blessed to have him kind of remind us of the simplicity of faith, remind us of the importance of care for the poor and for those in need — the refugees, for the migrant workers, for those in jail,” Greenleaf said. “He really kind of lived that Gospel passage, and he did it faithfully in his life. … He was a great example for the rest of us.”

The Rev. Daniel Greenleaf, second from left, looks at an image on his phone that depicts how a funeral bunting is properly hung Monday afternoon at the Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul in Lewiston. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Black bunting was draped over the entrance to the basilica, and a photo of the pope adorned with a black ribbon will be displayed inside.

Greenleaf expects that a Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland this week, followed by a second at the basilica nine days later, marking the close of the church’s traditional mourning period.

As the Catholic Church looks to an uncertain future, Greenleaf said Francis’ death is a reminder of the quiet strength of faith and service.

“It’d be nice if he’d be at rest,” he said. “Be at peace — for all good and faithful servants.”

Paul Baribault, of Lewiston, said he was struck by an answer Francis gave early in his papacy when asked about a gay priest.

“‘If someone is genuinely seeking God, who am I to judge?’” Baribault recalled. “It was that answer and similar ones reflecting his openness to growth in the Church that I feel set him apart and made his papacy so appealing to so many Catholics, especially younger ones.”

Steve Letourneau, CEO of Catholic Charities in Maine, said he’s grateful for Francis’ dedication and style of leadership, looking to serve others rather than be served. He said Francis’ service, like visiting soup kitchens and prisons, was inspirational to the Portland-based nonprofit.

“He led by example, not by telling us how we should be,” Letourneau said. “He lived it through his whole life.”

Though he said it feels too soon to consider who might replace Francis, he said whoever it is will have “big shoes to fill.”

People arrive for Mass at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Monday following the death of Pope Francis. Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald

Churchgoers filed into the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland for a noontime Mass on Monday, when more than 50 voices chanting “hallelujah” echoed through the hall. The church plans to honor Francis again during a special service on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Several parishioners said they would miss Francis’ charitable, humble nature.

Dan Reardon, 77, of Portland, said Francis was an open-minded pope, which he thought of as a positive thing for the Catholic Church. He said he hopes the next pope will be open to new ideas and thoughts.

Portland resident Nina Nicolaides said Francis was a “very holy” man and will be missed. She hopes the new pope will imitate Christ and love.

‘A STRAIGHT TICKET TO HEAVEN’

Across central Maine, the pope was remembered Monday as someone who was for the people.

Suzanne Bilodeau described Francis’ passing as heartbreaking, even though it was expected. A lifelong Catholic, Bilodeau remembered the pope for his love of marginalized people, being gracious with world leaders and much more.

“He was a very holy man who will surely have a straight ticket to heaven,” she said.

Judy Cabana, 86, a Eucharistic minister and lector at Notre Dame Church in Waterville, said she was sad to read of Francis’ death early Monday. He was very down-to-earth, she said, and resonated with everyday people and was not as formal as previous popes.

“He did not want to wear the red shoes, which is typical of what other popes wore. He didn’t want to ride around in the big car. He was always for the little guy, and he wanted peace, mostly, right up to the end of his papal duties,” Cabana said.

Judy Cabana at Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours Catholic Church — Corpus Christi Parish in Waterville. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

She hopes whomever is chosen to succeed Francis has similar values and ways of thinking.

“I always thought of him as a great pope, and he seemed closer to me and I’m sure, others, because he was for the people,” she said.

Dominick Rinaldi, of Skowhegan, said he was saddened to learn that, after seeing the pope say Mass on Sunday, he was gone Monday.

“I feel it was God’s way of thanking him for all the good he has done,” Rinaldi said. “As with other popes, he stood for what was or was not right in the Catholic Church and was not afraid to talk about it.

“He inherited many headaches from all the abuse problems and women wanting to be priests, but I feel he spoke according to God’s wishes and stood firm. He will be hard to replace.”

WIDE-REACHING IMPACT

Gov. Janet Mills offered her condolences to “Catholics across the world” in a written statement.

“Pope Francis inspired millions of people — of all faiths — through his humble leadership and his courageous calls for world leaders to uplift the poor, embrace peace and take action to care for the planet we all share,” Mills wrote. “In Maine, we will never forget his blessings of peace and strength for the people of Lewiston in the wake of the October 2023 tragedy.”

Following an order from President Donald Trump, Mills ordered all flags in Maine to be lowered to half-staff until sunset on the day of Francis’ interment, the date of which has not been set.

House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, who is Catholic, said he remembers watching Francis’ election in 2013 while “glued to his phone” on a study abroad trip in South Africa with the Catholic University of America.

“It was a moment, then, of hope for a church that was evolving,” Fecteau said. “Evolving not in terms of its commitment to its underlying values, but to live those values more holistically. I think Pope Francis really did that.”

Dan Reardon, 77, bows his head in prayer during Mass at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland on Monday. Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald

When Francis expressed his support for LGBTQ people, Fecteau remembered it as a significant moment for people like him who previously felt like they had to choose “between being gay and being Catholic.”

He said Francis “threw open the doors of welcome” to remind people that the church welcomes everyone. He said he hopes the new pope will carry on a similar message.

Sen. Susan Collins wrote in a written statement that Francis brought “faith, hope and light to Catholics all over the world.”

“It was an honor to meet him in 2015 when his mission to share God’s grace brought him to Washington as the first pontiff to address Congress,” Collins wrote. “His extraordinary efforts, despite being gravely ill, on Easter to bless the tens of thousands in St. Peter’s Square and to greet the vice president (JD Vance) and his family speak to his profound commitment to celebrate the Risen Lord. His visit to prisoners reflected his pastoral dedication to reaching out and welcoming everyone to experience God’s love.”