(Grand Rapids, MI) – The Diocese of Grand Rapids is responding to the death of Pope Francis. The Pontiff died on Monday at the age of 88. In a statement released today, officials with the diocese said that Francis worked to, quote, “break down barriers and draw people into an encounter with Christ in the Catholic Church.”

They went on to call the pope “a man of action” who advocated for refugees and the homeless. Read Bishop Walkowiak’s statement here.