Father Joy Nellissery, pastor of St. Mary of the Visitation here in Â鶹´«Ã½, says Pope Francis made a lasting impact through his message of love, compassion, and mercy. He said that even beyond his leadership in the church, Francis' heart for humanity stood out.
Nellissery says Francis put a strong emphasis on being mission-oriented, focusing not only on spreading the Catholic faith but also on living it out by showing kindness to all people. Through his actions, the Pope encouraged millions to think differently about what it means to follow Christ.
Nellissery said, “His emphasis on mercy made the global understanding of God and the way to take care of each other that was the primary focus of his ministry.â€
Francis' open-minded and non-judgmental approach brought many people closer to the church, even those who had felt left out before.
Now, the church enters a nine-day mourning period. During that time, cardinals from around the globe will make their way to Vatican City. The papal conclave, where a new pope is chosen, is expected to begin in the next two to three weeks.
