SHAWANO, WI- Catholics around the world are mourning following the passing of Pope Francis early Monday morning. The news, quickly traveled across the globe, touching the hearts of the faithful, including here at home.
WTCH AM 960/96.1 FM had the opportunity to speak with Father Edward Looney of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano shortly after the news broke. Father Looney shared his immediate reaction and reflected on the Pope’s life, legacy, and the process the Church will now undertake to elect a new Holy Father.
“I woke up around 4:30 this morning and was scrolling through the news when I saw it,” Father Looney said. “It was the first thing on my feed. I was really surprised.”
He explained that Pope Francis had made a public appearance just yesterday for Easter Sunday, offering his traditional blessing to the faithful, which had given many hope that he was regaining strength after a long illness and hospitalization. “We knew he had been sick for a long time, that he had been in the hospital over a month,” Looney said. “Even though you try to prepare yourself, it still comes as a shock when it happens.”
Father Looney also shared a personal memory from the early days of Pope Francis’ papacy. “My first memory is him greeting the people simply by saying ‘good evening’ after he was elected,” he recalled. “He asked the people to pray for him — that humility struck a chord with so many of us.”
A strong devotee of the Blessed Mother himself, Father Looney also spoke fondly of Pope Francis’ deep Marian devotion. “The day after he was elected, Pope Francis went to a shrine dedicated to Our Lady,” he said. “Throughout his papacy, whenever he traveled, he made it a priority to visit similar shrines. That devotion left a lasting impression on me and many others.”
What Happens Next for the Church?
With Pope Francis’ passing, Father Looney explained that the Catholic Church now enters a formal period of mourning.
“You’ll see black bunting on churches, and there will be the tolling of the bells today for Pope Francis,” he noted. “There are many different gestures of mourning that will be taking place across the world.”
The Pope’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful will have an opportunity to pay their final respects. A public funeral will follow, which will bring together most of the cardinals who will eventually elect the next pope.
According to Father Looney, the election process, known as a conclave, will begin after a time of prayer and reflection. “There will probably be a week or two where the cardinals gather, talk, and pray about what the Church needs at this moment in history,” he said. “After that, they will go into the conclave. It will probably be two to four weeks before a new pope is elected.”
The conclave will begin with a special Mass, a tradition that is often televised. “It’s a moving moment for the Church,” Father Looney said. “I remember when Pope Benedict preached a powerful homily before the conclave that left a major impression.”
Comments