Mary Skorich, WDIO
Here is a link on this story to the video on WDIO with Mary Skorich.
https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/local-priests-share-their-memories-of-pope-francis
“If you were to use one word for Pope Francis, mercy, he really focused on God’s mercy and that was a very necessary message for us right now,” said Father Richard Kunst of St. James Parish in Duluth. “The fact that he died, it was a shock because I think the shock was added that we all saw him yesterday.”
Many across mourn the loss of Pope Francis, and parishioners across the Northland join in on remembering his life.
“Whoever our Holy Father is, we love him. And it’s a sad thing when we’re without the head of our church,” said Father Seth Gogolin, Vicar General of the Diocese of Duluth.
For both Duluth priests, like many others, Pope Francis held a special place in their lives.
““He really had the heart of a pastor, the heart of a shepherd for his sheep, wanting to be there for the most vulnerable,” said Father Gogolin.
Father Gogolin had the opportunity to see Pope Francis in passing during a pilgrimage to Rome in 2016. Even though the meeting was small in time, the act was monumental for the priest.
“As the church, we believe that the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, the Holy Father, is the successor of St. Peter, the head of the apostles, the first pope of the church. And so, it’s incredible to be in the presence of Pope Francis of any pope. And it was beautiful for me. It was certainly a prayerful experience,” said Gogolin.
Father Kunst had the opportunity to meet the Pope in person in 2015.
“I used the fact that I did a series on the history of the papacy to have the excuse to give a copy of the video to the Holy Father,” said Father Kunst. “I was able to meet the Holy Father at the end of a papal audience, public audience, handed him my video and then I asked him to sign a baseball for me, and he signed it, he signed the baseball for me.”
The baseball, now kept safely in his office at St. James Catholic Church in Duluth, is a totem of a memory never forgotten.
“Pope’s autographs are uncommon enough, but to have one on a baseball,” said Kunst.
The Diocese of Duluth released a statement regarding the death of Pope Francis,
“Most Reverend Daniel Felton, Bishop of the Diocese of Duluth, received the news early this morning that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has passed away. At this moment, the faithful Diocese of Duluth join Catholics around the world in mourning his death, and more importantly join millions of people in pausing our day to pray for his soul.
As the Vicar of Christ on Earth and the successor of St. Peter, Pope Francis faithfully guided the Church, teaching the world how to follow Jesus and live out the Gospel. His life was a testament to God’s love, and through his words and actions, he shepherded the Church with wisdom and compassion.
According to the reports Pope Francis dies at 7:35am (Rome time) while battling health complications in the hospital. He was 88 years old.
During this time of mourning, Catholics give thanks for his leadership, his service to Christ and His Church, and the many ways he strengthened the faith of Catholics worldwide.”
Father Richard Kunst, Curator Father Seth Gogolin, Vicar General Bishop Daniel Felton
