Followers of the Catholic faith worldwide woke up Monday to news of the death of Pope Francis. And as the word of his death spread around the world, the leader of Catholics in the Virgin Islands was headed for the airport and a flight bound for Rome.
As he waited for a connecting flight in Atlanta Monday night, Virgin Islands Bishop Jerome Feudjio said he spent time coordinating church services to honor the pope back home in the territory starting Tuesday.
Francis, 88, died in his residence at the Vatican early Monday morning, the day after he greeted thousands of visitors celebrating Easter Sunday in Vatican City. At that time, the pontiff was recovering from a lengthy hospital stay to treat a respiratory ailment.
The official cause of death was described as a stroke that eventually led to heart failure, according to a statement released Monday afternoon.
Feudjio called the timing of his trip coincidental; he, along with 93 V.I. residents, were traveling as part of a scheduled pilgrimage from April 21 to April 30.
“I’m taking 93 Virgin Islanders with me; we are going for the Jubilee,” the bishop said. Elvis Nsaikila, director of communications for the St. Thomas Catholic Diocese, called the pilgrimage a preplanned activity.
But, Nsaikila said, the timing of that pilgrimage may lead some of those travelers to the scene of the pope’s last rites. “Some of them may be present for this historic moment,” the spokesman said.
The official date for Pope Francis’ funeral has not been announced yet. “The funeral will be between the 25th and the 27th of April,” Feudjio said.
Back in the territory, church officials were reaching out to Catholic Churches on St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John — nine in all. As of Monday night, plans were being finalized for services to honor the late church leader. The bishop directed the faithful to contact their local parishes for further details.
Church bells at all Catholic Churches are directed to ring at midday Tuesday.
Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected to lead the Catholic church on March 13, 2013. “He was focused on bringing the church back to its mission — keeping an eye on charity and the marginalized, and encouraging members of the church to work together,” Nsaikila said.
A conclave of cardinals is expected to convene shortly after Pope Francis is laid to rest and begin the process of choosing a new leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Other V.I. faith leaders also paused to reflect on the life and works of the late Pope Francis. “Although they may not be Catholic I’m sure some of them were following the life of this exalted man,” said Moravian church parishioner and culture bearer Glen Davis. “I really appreciated him because despite his exalted nature he always had the common touch.”
And Baha’i spokesman Rod Clarksen offered condolences on behalf of the V.I. congregation.
“The Baháʼí community of the Virgin Islands offers its deepest condolences to the Catholic community and all those saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. We recognize his years of outstanding spiritual service and leadership, and we pray for the comfort of his followers during this time. We pray for his continued progress in the spiritual realms and that his legacy inspire continued efforts towards greater compassion, peace, unity, and goodwill among all people,” Clarksen said.
