‘Heaven has gained a saint,’ Sault priest says about the death of Pope Francis

Bishop Thomas Dowd of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie remembers the legacy of Pope Francis, who died Monday.

A priest in Sault Ste. Marie is reflecting on the death of Pope Francis and is looking on the bright side of his faith.

Father Michael Omojola of Our Lady Of Good Counsel is mourning the death of the Pope by celebrating his life and his 12 years as pontiff.

Omojola said if the church were to put out an obituary, it would not read about a painful passing, but instead, a glorious exit.

He said the Pope’s passing on Easter Monday only further assures him that this is the time to celebrate Pope Francis’s life.

“Even if the people you are departing from, I try to see it from that your cessation, you give them hope,” Omojola said.

“As Christians, death -- especially the death of a pope or bishop of pastor or good Christian -- is not a cause for mourning. It’s a cause for joy. And though the world has lost somebody … heaven has gained a saint and that is for me the most important thing.”

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Omojola said he greatly admired Pope Francis’s passion for helping the poor and immigrants and making the church a welcome space.

In his mind, what’s most important for the next pope is that they are a good and caring leader.