Yuma County residents react to Pope Francis’ passing
Dillon Fuhrman
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Residents across Yuma County are reacting to the passing of Pope Francis.
According to the Vatican, the 88-year-old pontiff died Monday following a series of health challenges in recent years.
In an Instagram post, Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls wrote, “Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
Mayor Nicholls, who also serves as a deacon, says each pope means something different to everyone, and says there is always a lot to learn from them.
“This pope has been really focused on the individual person, and the poor, the marginalized in society, so that was a great focus for us as a nation, as a state, just to know we need to be thinking beyond what’s right in front of us,” Nicholls explained.
Local leaders, like Timothy Kromer with Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, say his legacy reached far beyond the church.
“I feel like his legacy will be on of the need to help those in our society, the most vulnerable, the most in need,” Kromer shared.
His character inspired unbreakable bonds among Catholics, with Kromer adding, “I feel like a lot of Catholics has a very strong connection to him because of his pastoral nature, and because of his care.”
The papacy is more than just a single leader. It’s a part of a long tradition which continues to evolve through each generation.
“They’re balancing out the church, the spirituality, the theology, that comes throughout the centuries, so from that perspective, we look to glean from each pope, in each saint, different elements of spirituality and understanding,” Nichols expressed.
In Southern Arizona, Pope Francis’ legacy lives on in the people and organizations continuing his work of compassion and care.