“Today, the Church and the world have lost a true shepherd of souls,” McElroy said in a statement from his new home in Washington, D.C. “Amidst our sadness at this death, we thank God for the penetrating grace that he has brought among us.”

Catholics throughout the San Diego area joined the global faithful Monday to mourn the passing of Pope Francis.

Local couple hoping to attend Pope Francis' funeral; flight into Rome arrives 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, an hour and a half before funeral is scheduled to begin.