Kansas, Missouri leaders react to death of Pope Francis
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff and first Jesuit pope, died Monday morning at the age of 88.
His ing has left an impact on both Catholics and political leaders across the world, and even locally.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, the second Catholic governor in the state, shared his condolences on social media Monday morning.
Bishop Shawn McKnight, who serves in the Diocese of Jefferson City and was recently appointed by Pope Francis to oversee the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, also released a statement on the pope’s death.
The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph also shared a photo of Bishop James Johnston visiting Pope Francis in Rome in January 2020, gifting him a signed Patrick Mahomes jersey.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas stated Pope Francis’s ing will be felt all over the world.
The Kansas Catholic Conference, the official voice of the Catholic Church in Kansas on matters of public policy, posted a short prayer for Pope Francis.
Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri) also offered a prayer for the pope.
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