Mid-Ohio Valley churches, officials react to the death of Pope Francis
FILE - Pope Francis speaks from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio who chose the name of Francis, is the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)
FILE - Pope Francis holds a baby during an audience with members of Entrepreneurs for Economy of Communion, at the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)
FILE - Pope Francis speaks from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio who chose the name of Francis, is the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)
FILE - Pope Francis holds a baby during an audience with members of Entrepreneurs for Economy of Communion, at the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)
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PARKERSBURG -- St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Parkersburg held a mass Monday morning to honor Pope Francis, who died Monday at the age of 88.
An evening prayer was planned at the church for Monday evening
"We are grateful for the Holy Father's service," said Father John Rice of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. "He had 13 wonderful years ... We prayed for his eternal soul and for his successor."
The Diocese of Steubenville plans to hold a mass at 5:15 p.m. today in the pope's honor. The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston held a mass Monday evening.
In a statement issued Monday morning, Bishop Mark Brennan of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston reflected on the impact of the late pontiff, who appointed Brennan to his position.
"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," he said.
Brennan praised Francis for his compassion and advocacy, saying he "reached out to people who are often overlooked and even despised" and "pleaded with national leaders to forsake war and to welcome migrants fleeing persecution and poverty."
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued a statement calling Francis an inspiration to himself, his wife Fran and millions around the world.
"His genuine love of and devotion to all people -- the poor, the unborn, those without a home, those emigrating to build a better life for themselves and their families, those of all faiths and those with no faith -- was evidenced to the world from the day he was selected to serve as Pope until his last public appearance on Easter Sunday," DeWine said. "His work directly with the poor was a testament to his life of great humility. And, meeting with children clearly brought him great joy! It gave us the same joy watching him interact with them."
U.S. Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., said he and his wife Mina join fellow Catholics in mourning Francis' loss.
"In his final message -- shared just yesterday for Easter -- the Holy Father wrote: 'Christ is risen! These words capture the entire meaning of our existence, for we were not made for death but for life.' A fitting end to a papacy focused on joy," Moore said in a statement. "I encourage all 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."
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., shared her condolences on X.
"Pope Francis lived a life marked by deep faith, service to God, and compassion to those in need," she said. "This is a loss that will be felt far and wide amongst the Catholic community. We honor his legacy."
"Pope Francis was a tireless advocate for the dignity of life and service to others," U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, said on X. "His legacy will continue to inspire others as he inspired Catholics all over the world."
Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.