Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The impact of the life and pontificate of Pope Francis, who died April 21 at the age of 88, had a transformative effect on Catholics around the world and here at home. Pope Francis appointed Bishop Michael Martin in 2024 and has influenced the ministry of many leaders across the Diocese of Charlotte, according to a statement released Monday morning from the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte.
Bishop Martin has called for the diocese’s 93 churches across the western half of North Carolina to cancel Monday evening’s activities and instead open their doors from 7 to 8 p.m. to welcome all people to come and pray for the Holy Father, in communion with the universal Church.
St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte is among those hosting a Holy Hour tonight from 7 to 8. The cathedral is at 1621 Dilworth Road East in Charlotte.
“I am deeply saddened by the death of Pope Francis and join with Catholics of the Diocese of Charlotte and around the world in mourning the loss of our shepherd,” Bishop Martin said. “I am certain that all people of good will rejoice with us that this man of faith has ‘finished the race’ (2 Tim 4:7), and we pray that he will receive the reward which we have all been promised by our merciful God who has saved us from the finality of death. There will be time to celebrate the life and legacy of Pope Francis in the days ahead, but for now I invite anyone and everyone to join us in prayer this evening at 7 p.m. in every Roman Catholic church in the Diocese of Charlotte for a time of prayer, reflection, and mourning. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him!”