Pittsburgh Roman Catholic Bishop David A. Zubik remembered Pope Francis as a merciful pastor Monday morning as he joined others around the world in mourning Francis, who died at 88.
“He really had a beautiful way of respecting every single individual,” Zubik said.
The pontiff will be remembered for the mercy he showed people, from the world’s top political leaders to those imprisoned or marginalized by their station in life.
“He never dismissed anybody,” Zubik said from his office in the diocesan center on the grounds of St. Paul Seminary in Pittsburgh’s East Carnegie neighborhood.
. @BishopZubik says one word best describes @Pontifex: “Mercy.” pic.twitter.com/EzZHj9nazz
— Tom Davidson (@TribDavidson) April 21, 2025
Although the pope suffered health issues this year, his death was unexpected and came the day after the church came together to celebrate Easter, the highest holiday of the Christian faith that marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and the promise of a similar resurrection for those who are faithful.
“It makes real for the world what we as Christians celebrated yesterday,” Zubik said.
He invited Catholics, other Christians and people of other faith traditions to a Mass that will be celebrated at 7 p.m. Monday at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood.
“We are experiencing this loss as a family,” Zubik said. “And as a family would, we need to come together, to be together, and to pray together.”
. @BishopZubik talks about his meetings with Pope Francis. pic.twitter.com/eIZsWskdaU
— Tom Davidson (@TribDavidson) April 21, 2025
