SOURCE: ABS – The holy family cathedral is to hold a Memorial Mass on Wednesday, April 23, in memory of Pope Francis.

The local Roman Catholic community are among the 1.4 billion adherents of the denomination around the world paying tribute to Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, aged 88.

Bishop Robert Llanos, of the Diocese of St John’s Basseterre, says, “Pope Francis’s papacy represented a major transformation from within the Catholic Church and a voice of truth and justice to the wider world.”

He also tells ABS News, “there is no denying the humility and courage of a man who set out to transform the world by the witness of his own life in Christ.

His determination has left us a legacy from which we may draw strength and hope for the future of Catholicism. With gratitude in our hearts we give glory to God for the gift of Pope Francis. May he rest in peace.”

The Vatican says Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died of stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure.

The Ecclesiastical Commission of Antigua and Barbuda has also expressed its condolences to the entire Roman Catholic community, and in particular the Diocese of Saint John’s – Basseterre which is presided over by Bishop Robert Llanos.

The Commission used a release on Tuesday to indicate: “To Father Pierre Tevi-Benissan, Vicar General of the Diocese of St. John’s – Basseterre and the rest of the clergy, the Ecclesiastical Commission joins you in praying for your bereaved congregants.

Our encouragement is the gentle reminder that, ‘Jesus Is Lord!’”