Norwich, CT — The Diocese of Norwich has joined Catholics across the globe in mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at 7:35 a.m. on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
The Vatican confirmed his death occurred at Casa Santa Marta, his residence within the Vatican City.
“May he rest in peace,” said the Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne, Archbishop of Hartford and Apostolic Administrator of Norwich, in a formal statement released Monday morning. “I join with Bishop-elect Richard Reidy and the entire community of the Diocese of Norwich in offering prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis.”
Archbishop Coyne led a Memorial Mass for the late pontiff at 12:10 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford.
Simultaneously, Bishop-elect Reidy concelebrated a Memorial Mass with Bishop Robert McManus at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, became the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
He was the first Jesuit and the first Latin American to assume the papacy. His nearly 13-year tenure was marked by a call for humility, a deep focus on mercy, and outspoken advocacy for the marginalized.
“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord …” Archbishop Coyne said in his message.
The Diocese indicated that additional memorial observances and official funeral details from Rome will be shared once finalized by Church officials.
