LOCAL CATHOLIC bishops and political leaders reacted to the death of Pope Francis on Monday with messages of mercy, sacrifice and love for the world’s most vulnerable populations — messages the pontiff himself cared deeply about. 

Born in 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis was ordained in 1969, became archbishop of his hometown in 1998, a cardinal in 2001 and elected pope in 2013.

Continue reading for FREE

This is NOT a paywall. We just want to make sure you’re a human. Sign in to read this story and receive the weekly roundup in your inbox.

Or

Terms & Conditions

Success! Your account was created and you’re signed in.
Please visit My Account to manage your account.

Kiley Russell writes primarily for Local News Matters on issues related to equity and the environment. A Bay Area native, he has lived most of his life in Oakland. He studied journalism at San Francisco State University, worked for the Associated Press and the former Contra Costa Times, among other outlets. He has covered everything from state legislatures, local governments, federal and state courts, crime, growth and development, political campaigns of various stripes, wildfires and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.