“In the shadow of the Archdiocese of Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, all of Newark mourns Pope Francis as a champion of the poor, marginalized, and disenfranchised. To his last days, he advocated for immigrants and rebuked the Trump Administration for the kind of ICE raids conducted in Newark, and its mass deportation of migrants.

“On behalf of the people of the City of Newark, I offer my gratitude to this gentle pontiff who chose the name of St. Francis of Assisi. Like his namesake, he encouraged us to be channels of peace. In his memory, may we continue to ‘sow love where there is hatred, hope where there is despair, and light where there is darkness.’”

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