P.E.I. Catholics mourn the passing of Pope Francis
CBC
Catholics across Prince Edward Island are mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away early Monday morning at the age of 88.
In recent months, the Pope had been battling health issues. He spent five weeks in the hospital beginning in February after a bout of bronchitis developed into pneumonia.
"We knew that his death was imminent, and yet it was a shock when Monday, we woke up and learned that the Pope passed away," said Bishop of the Diocese of Charlottetown Joseph Dabrowski.
"Now we need to pray for his soul and be united in prayer with the Catholic Church and reflect with spirit of gratitude, thanksgiving for his work and ministry and his pastoral great care."
Dabrowski said he had the personal privilege of meeting the Pope on four different occasions.
"Each encounter I met with remains close to my heart, and I experienced his genuine pastoral care, warmth, simplicity and joy rooted in the gospel, so beautiful moments," the bishop said.
"In 2015, he was the one who called me to episcopate and I will forever be grateful for that."
As Bishop of the Diocese of Charlottetown, Dabrowski will soon pen a letter to Catholics on the Island through this time of mourning.
In it, he plans to reflect on Pope Francis's 12-year papacy committed to empathy and care for the poor and marginalized.
"Pope Francis showed us what it means to love God with our hearts and soul and mind. He served the Catholic faith faithfully," Dabrowski said.
"He was known for his great humility, his trust in God's mercy, care for the poor, and his desire for peace and dialogue with our people. He encouraged the Church to listen, walk together and care for one another in our creation."
Dabrowski also highlighted the Pope's historic visit to Canada in 2022, where he undertook what he called a six-day "pilgrimage of penance" in Alberta, Quebec and Nunavut, walking alongside Indigenous peoples on a path of healing and reconciliation.
The Pope also weighed in on various global issues, including calling on world leaders for an urgent response to the climate crisis, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and urging for peace in Ukraine.
"Globally, he inspired millions through his humility, simplicity and the courage to speak prophetically on issues that matter," Dabrowski said.
While many Albertans continue to feel the pinch at the pump, Premier Danielle Smith says the government is not considering any fuel tax breaks, as it does not believe it will make much of a difference.
WARNING: This story contains disturbing details about gruesome deaths and sexual abuse.
Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) says they will take part in the federal government's buyback program for assault-style rifles this year, but a local member of parliament says she "can't get behind this decision."
The use of American contracts and services is down by nearly half on Prince Edward Island following tariffs and shaky trade relations under the Donald Trump administration.
The first set of deadlines included in the energy and climate deal struck between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith are not expected to be met, showing early challenges with the agreement that includes pursuing a new export pipeline from Alberta to the West Coast.
Mayoral-hopeful Coun. Brad Bradford is calling for a host of safety measures across Toronto’s subway system, including a specific focus on platform edge doors, with a motion before city council this week.
When the one-star reviews first began to appear on his restaurant's Google page, owner Damon Ataei swung into action, trying to contact each reviewer.
The Mounties called it the "Native extremism program." Today, it sounds like a spy novel.
A judge is expected to rule in June on a proposed settlement for a class-action lawsuit involving a crash landing of an Air Canada flight in Halifax more than a decade ago.
An inmate who was on the loose after escaping a jail in Shediac has been caught, New Brunswick RCMP said in a press release late Monday afternoon.
Premier Wab Kinew draped the Manitoba flag over an empty seat as politicians from across the aisle said goodbye to one of their own in an emotional tribute at the legislature on Monday.
Saskatoon police have identified the driver of a vehicle that struck a railway overpass above Circle Drive on Sunday — the third such collision in the city this month.
People who live near Lac Pelletier say effluent from a nearby cattle feedlot has spilled off the site and into a ditch that feeds into the lake downstream.