SPOKANE, Wash – The leader of the Catholic church in Spokane remembered Pope Francis Monday as a pontiff focused on mercy and welcoming those who sought forgiveness.
Bishop Thomas Daly of the Catholic Diocese of Spokane wrote a statement on the Inland Catholic website.
Bishop Daly said Pope Francis was the one who appointed him to Spokane. The post online includes a picture of Pope Francis and Bishop Daly shaking hands during a meeting at the Vatican in 2020.
“I invite all the faithful of Eastern Washington to join me in praying for the repose of the soul of His Holiness,” Bishop Daly wrote.
“Perhaps the greatest legacy which Pope Francis left the Church was his emphasis on mercy,” he continued. “The Holy Father created hundreds of Missionaries of Mercy throughout the world and intended these priests to be living signs of God’s love and welcome to all those seeking forgiveness. The fact that he designated three priests to be Missionaries of Mercy in the Diocese of Spokane demonstrated his fatherly care for our local Church.”
The diocese will hold a mass in memory of Pope Francis Thursday, April 24 at noon. It will be held in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes in downtown Spokane.
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