Sadly, we mourn the passing of Pope Francis, the Vicar of Christ. Pope Francis was not a political or religious authoritarian. Pope Francis was so much more. He demonstrated that we all are united regardless of wealth, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality and political status.

Pope Francis offered humanity spiritual sanctuary through the Catholic Church.

I believe Pope Francis looked past our sins and visualized what we were capable of. He thought we all could end poverty, discrimination, war, and hate through our God-given power to forgive.

It’s no coincidence God received Pope Francis the day after Christians celebrated the resurrection of Christ. From all of us who see the forest as more than trees, we thank Pope Francis from the bottom of our hearts. May God speed you home.

George Pikoulas, Butler