Rio Grande Valley mourns death of Pope Francis

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Catholic dioses of the Rio Grande Valley are mourning the loss of Pope Francis.

The Vatican announced Pope Francis died early Monday morning just after Easter Sunday. On Sunday the Pope was seen wishing the thousands in St. Peters Square a happy Easter. He took a lap through the square in the pope mobile and blessed babies, reports say.

His death comes after the Pope's long bout with double pneumonia which left him hospitalized earlier this year.

In the statement announcing his death, the Vatican says, Pope Francis taught us to live with “universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.”

The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville announced that it is saddened by the passing of the Pope

"Let us pray for his eternal rest," the church stated. "Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace."

Saint Benedict Catholic Church in San Benito issued the following prayer for the Pope.

"With great sadness, yet with hope in the Resurrection of the Lord, we have learned of the passing of Pope Francis," the prayer stated. "Let us unite in prayer for the repose of his soul and give thanks for his faithful service to the Church."