In the early hours of Monday, the world received the solemn news of Pope Francis’ passing at the age of 88. His death reverberated far beyond the Vatican, touching lives across continents — including here in West Virginia.
Leaders from our state shared not only their condolences but also personal reflections that echo the Pope’s enduring legacy of faith, humility and compassion.
“Mina and I join fellow Catholics in West Virginia and across the globe in mourning the loss of Pope Francis and praying for the repose of his soul,” said Rep. Riley Moore.
Moore’s words capture the spirit of a collective grief — of a community joined in faith and mourning.
Pope Francis, in what would be his final message, wrote: “Christ is risen! These words capture the entire meaning of our existence, for we were not made for death but for life.” Moore called this “a fitting end to a papacy focused on joy,” and encouraged Catholics to “join me in praying and fasting for the Holy Father and for the Catholic Church as She begins to select a new successor to St. Peter.”
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito emphasized the deep spiritual resonance of Francis’ life: “Pope Francis lived a life marked by deep faith, service to God and compassion to those in need.” She added, “This is a loss that will be felt far and wide amongst the Catholic community. We honor his legacy. May he rest in peace.”
Bishop Mark Brennan of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston offered a particularly heartfelt remembrance: “I have great affection for him, since he was the Pope who took a chance and named me, an ordinary parish priest, to be a bishop, invigorating my life with a new ministry that has been a blessing for the past eight years.” Bishop Brennan said he had been praying for Pope Francis’ recovery or “that death would come quickly and peacefully. It did.”
Gov. Patrick Morrisey offered his words of reverence and sorrow.
“We join Catholics around the world to mourn the loss of Pope Francis,” he said. “His Holiness served the Church with dignity, compassion and a humble heart while teaching all of us how to live closer to God. May he rest in eternal glory with the Lord.”
From these words, one truth is evident: Pope Francis was more than a global religious leader. To many in West Virginia, he was a model of the values that define us — faith, humility and care for others. As we mourn, we also give thanks for the life of a shepherd who led with a servant’s heart, who spoke eloquently of compassion and grace but, more importantly, displayed those traits in all that he did.