Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis

HOUSTON, TX – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) released the following statement on the passing of Pope Francis:

"I join millions around the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. 

"His papacy will be remembered for its compassion, its moral clarity, and a renewed belief that we are all God’s children.

"As the first Jesuit pope, he challenged the wealthy and the powerful to see dignity in the faces of the migrant, the worker, the child. 

"He stood in refugee camps in Lampedusa. He walked the dusty roads of forgotten villages. He brought light and joy to those long cast in shadow.

"More than any Pope before, he urged us to care for our common home, reminding us that caring for the Earth is not optional—it is a moral and spiritual obligation. 

"When the world felt uncertain, he offered steadiness. God sent us a good man in Pope Francis. A shepherd. A servant. A son of the Americas who became beloved across the world. 

"I and millions around the globe will miss his wisdom, gentleness, and quiet strength he carried in every word and every step. May he rest in peace, and may we all carry his light forward."