The passing of Pope Francis on Monday morning was mourned by Catholics worldwide. 

Francis was born  Jorge Mario Bergoglio on Dec. 17, 1936.  Bergoglio joined the Jesuit Order in 1958 after recovering from an illness and became a Catholic priest in 1969. He became the archbishop of Buenos Aries in 1998 and was created a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. A papal conclave elected Bergoglio as Pope on March 13, 2013, after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Bergoglio chose Francis as his papal name to honor St. Francis of Assisi. 

Locally, Catholics prayed for Pope Francis’ soul and remembered the legacy he left behind. 

“His commitment to upholding the dignity of the poor and his encouragement for those who seek mercy will long be remembered,”  Kelsey Burgans, St. Martin of Tours parishioner and Montgomery Catholic teacher said.

St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church Fr. Chris Boutin said the Catholic Church will experience an extended state of mourning for Pope Francis throughout his burial and the election of a new pope. Boutin said he expected Pope Francis to be buried this week after all cardinals are in Rome. About a week after  Pope Francis’ burial, Boutin said a Papal Conclave will be held and the 135 Catholic cardinals under the age of 80 will elect a new pope. 

“The death of Pope Francis won’t affect our day-to-day operations at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church,” Boutin said. “We’ll pray for the pope’s soul each day at mass and continue the work of Jesus Christ. We’re a parish of the Diocese of Mobile and we’ll continue to serve our congregation and continue to pray for the pope’s soul.”

Boutin said St. Martin of Tours was the only Catholic Church in Pike County. He said there is no Catholic Church in Crenshaw County, so he said St. Martin’s serves the Catholic families of Pike and Crenshaw Counties as well as families from south Montgomery County. In all, he said St. Martin served about 150 families and had around 500 members.