PEORIA, Ill. – The head of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria says the passing of Pope Francis is a “sad day.”
Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88, after serving in the role for 12 years.
Bishop Louis Tylka has a personal connection to Pope Francis, having been named Bishop by him in 2020. It was an experience he called “humbling.”
“It’s just kind of overwhelming and very humbling to think that this one individual embodies for us, for me personally, in my faith, the representation of Jesus today in this world today as the Holy Father,” Tylka said.
Tylka was able to meet Francis in September of 2022 for his New Bishop formation, not being able to after being named in 2020 due to COVID restrictions. Tylka says his experiences include Pope Francis listening to questions from fellow bishops at the end of his formation, then getting personal one-on-one time with him.
Tylka says he gave Pope Francis a rosary made by a man in El Paso, the home of Bishop Fulton Sheen.
Tylka says Francis’ legacy will be of opening the church to all people, no matter if they were a practicing Catholic or not. He says that includes loving someone first and valuing the dignity of each human life.
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