YAKIMA, Wash. – Pope Francis passed away early Monday morning at the age of 88. His passing has left Catholics worldwide in mourning. As the anticipation for the next pope builds, clergy members in Central Washington are reflecting on Pope Francis’s impact.
Bishop Joseph Tyson of the Diocese of Yakima had a personal connection with Pope Francis. He met the late pope in 2019 and shared insights on their interaction.
“He made a point of pulling me aside and switched into Spanish and thanked us for our work with migrants. That would be really a hallmark, I think, of his papacy is wanting to make sure that we bring everybody in and invite everyone to the good news of Christ,” he said.
Bishop Tyson noted the pope’s emphasis on outreach and dialogue.
“Pope Francis brought a certain change. He, like his predecessors, wanted to find ways to evangelize beyond the walls of the church. There’s really been no doctrinal change. But how do we welcome people who don’t agree with us? How do we dialog with those different from us?” he said.
With the selection of the next pope approaching, Bishop Tyson emphasized the qualities needed in the future leader of the church.
“I think the main thread is going to be a thread that started with Pope John Paul, the second who is going to go out and evangelize the world, who is going to get out on the world stage? Who’s going to be a public figure to engage the great questions of our time?” he stated.
Bishop Tyson reminded the faithful of the ongoing mission of hope.
“We’re on a mission to be Pilgrims of hope. And we’re going to continue to do that even after we have a new Holy Father, because this is the Jubilee Holy year. And so hopefully all of us can find ways to share spread hope to those around us, especially those who may not darken any church whatsoever,” he said.
The next step in the process for selecting a new pope involves the College of Cardinals gathering to participate in a discernment and vote, guided by the Holy Spirit.
