Remembering Pope Francis, a Catholic pontiff known for change

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on April 21 after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, the Vatican said, ending a sometimes unsettled reign in which he sought to overhaul a divided institution while challenging traditional norms in the Catholic Church.

The Pope, who was 88, had suffered double pneumonia earlier this year, but his death came as a shock hours after he appeared in St. Peter's Square in an open-air popemobile to greet cheering crowds on Easter Sunday, suggesting his health was returning.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Francis was the 266th pope, rising through the ranks as a Jesuit priest in his home country of Argentina. Over the course of his papacy, some thought he was too radical, while others thought he was a fresh start to make faith again relevant.

Early in his papacy, Pope Francis fielded a question about "a gay lobby" within the Vatican, to which he famously answered, "Who am I to judge?" emphasizing the importance of mercy and acceptance over condemnation and becoming a signature of his papacy, setting a tone of more welcoming and less judgmental approach towards LGBTQ+ Catholics and other marginalized groups.

It also marked a shift from the more traditional approach of Pope Benedict XVI, who had previously stated that homosexual tendencies should not be grounds for priesthood.

He initiated changes within the Vatican, emphasizing transparency, accountability and financial reform, and appointed more women to senior posts in its hierarchy. However, Francis was also known to often blindside Vatican officials with his off-the-cuff comments.

Pope Francis inherited a Church torn by bickering in the Vatican bureaucracy, and was elected with a clear mandate to restore order, and worked to guide the Church's crisis over sexual abuse by clerics.

Pope Francis will also be remembered for spearheading outreach to women, immigrants and refugees, and people from other faiths, and breaking with tradition in by washing the feet of women prisoners in Rome. The foot-washing ritual, which takes place on the Thursday before Easter, pays homage to Jesus Christ’s washing of his disciples’ feet the night before he died. Pope Francis had often taken this ceremony out of Vatican territory and celebrated by washing the feet of prisoners, refugees and the disabled.

“I am grieving with our Catholic Community as well as many others on the passing of Pope Francis. He has finished his race and entered into his reward,” said Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries. “Please join me in praying for all those who have suffered the loss of loved ones recently.”

A conclave to elect a new pope normally takes place between 15 and 20 days after the death of a pontiff. Nearly 135 cardinals are eligible to take part in the highly secretive ballot which can last days.

“Praying also for the selection of the new Pope to truly lead the Catholic Church at this time by God’s Holy Spirit and His Word,” DeVries added.

No date has yet been given for the funeral, but the Vatican said it would normally be expected to take place sometime between Friday and Sunday.

Continuing his break from tradition, Pope Francis confirmed in his final testament released on April 21 that he wished to be buried in Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major and not St. Peter's Basilica.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wasilla invited worshippers to pray in Novena, sharing the prayers on their Facebook page, while St. Michael Catholic Church in Palmer hosted a prayer in Novena in memory of the Holy Father, Pope Francis beginning Monday evening.