UPDATE: Bishop Douglas Deshotel has released the following statement as we mourn the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, who died on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.
"faith and confidence in the promise of Jesus Christ of resurrection to everlasting life, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to Almighty God. As the successor of St. Peter, he fulfilled the mission given by Jesus Christ to St. Peter, the first Pope, “Feed my sheep and strengthen the faith of the brothers.” For this, Jesus promised special prayers for St. Peter.
"Among the constant teachings of Pope Francis was that the mercy of God is extended to everyone. “Be not afraid, come to me all you who labor and are heavily burdened.”
"He also called all of us to reach out to all who are marginalized. The human person is not disposable. All are created in the image and likeness of God and are called to share in His life forever. The child in the womb, the sick, the imprisoned, migrants, sinners and the dispossessed. All are children of God.
"He called out the futility of war and urged nations to look for peaceful ways to resolve their differences.
"He also called us to be good stewards of creation and to see in the beauty of creation the hand of God, the creator of our common home.
"A special Diocesan Memorial Mass will soon be announced that we may pray for Pope Francis and reflect on his extraordinary life.
May he rest in peace."
+Bishop Douglas Deshotel
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Earlier Monday, Kim Boudreaux, CEO of Catholic Charities of Acadiana, sent us a statement on the passing of Pope Francis:
"The life and ministry of Pope Francis beautifully intersected with the values we hold dear at Catholic Charities of Acadiana—boundless mercy, justice, and a deep love for our most vulnerable neighbors.
"His humble leadership and unwavering call to care for the poor and marginalized have profoundly shaped our mission and inspired our daily work.
"Pope Francis consistently reminded us that the dignity of the human person is not earned, but inherent and God given — rooted in our shared humanity and worthy of reverence.
"We are deeply grateful for the example he set and the hope he brought to a world in need of mercy and tenderness.
"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him."
State Senator Gerald Boudreaux joined in with leaders around the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis.
“The Pope displayed his servant leadership until the end with his presence at the Vatican on Easter Sunday. His life and service to the church embraced advocacy for the poor, social justice, and all of the values associated with human dignity. His courage to address controversial issues and do so in a Christian manner will solidify his legacy.”
"Our hope and prayer is that we who are in leadership, embrace the life and legacy of a man with humble beginnings and apply the values, rules and regulations equitably to all," Boudreaux wrote.
The Diocese of Lafayette also announced the passing of the Holy Father, Pope Francis.
"With faith and hope in the resurrection of Jesus, we inform you of the death of Pope Francis. Please pray for the repose of his soul and for all who mourn his death," a post on the Diocese Facebook page states.
The post provided a link to the Vatican News article about the Pope's passing; you can read that here.
The Diocese also shared a statement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Here's that post:
