The Catholic Church and the world are mourning the death of Pope Francis,
the 266th pontiff and the first from Latin America.

Pope Francis gave new energy to millions of Catholics as he transformed the image of the papacy into a pastoral ministry based on personal encounters and strong convictions about mission, poverty, immigration and dialogue.

Led by Bishop Michael Martin – appointed Bishop of Charlotte one year ago by the pope – people across the diocese came together Monday with the worldwide Church united in prayer for the late pontiff.

The Church says goodbye with the pope’s funeral,
Bishop Martin offered a Mass for the Dead at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.