I want to extend my condolences to the Catholic community in Montgomery County and around the world on the death of Pope Francis. Catholics make up one of the largest Christian denominations in our County, and I know this loss will be deeply felt by many, especially those who felt pride in the fact that he was the first Latin American pontiff.  

Pope Francis may have been the leader of the global Catholic Church, but his life and legacy is an inspiration to many other Christian denominations as well as other religious communities.

Pope Francis was a global figure whose character and leadership reflected the best of what religious faith can inspire. His unwavering commitment to the poor, the imprisoned and the marginalized, regardless of their faith, embodied values that speak to our shared humanity. He reminded the world that compassion, humility and justice are not abstract ideas, but principles that must guide how we treat one another.

I particularly appreciated his willingness to engage with those who had long felt excluded, including the LGBTQ+ community. He sought to hold space for tradition while responding to the realities of people’s lives with understanding and grace. That is not an easy path, but it is a courageous one.

No matter one’s faith, or lack of it, Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the great humanitarians of our time. He was a moral voice during an era increasingly defined by nationalism, authoritarianism and rising inhumanity. His death is a loss for the world, and I hope his legacy continues to inspire acts of kindness, empathy and justice in all of us.

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