Pope Francis death, Alabama reaction

Pope Francis passed away early Monday morning. The Vatican’s top physician said he died of a cerebral stroke and irreversible heart failure.

The head of the Catholic Diocese of Birmingham released a statement, reports AL.com’s Greg Garrison.

From Bishop Steven J. Raica: “Pope Francis brought to the Church a unique and courageous vision—one rooted in humility, mercy, and a missionary spirit. From the very beginning of his papacy, he called the Church to look outward, not inward. He often reminded us that the Church must not be ‘self-referential,’ but rather a Church that ‘goes forth’ — a Church always on mission.”

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first Latin American pontiff was elected in 2013. Some of his progressive actions and rhetoric rankled church conservatives along the way, and he had to work through a firestorm in 2018 after initially standing by a bishop who was linked to a child abuser.

Among his legacies is his emphasizing the church’s responsibility in helping refugees and the poor.

In Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey followed President Trump in ordering flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Pope Francis until sunset on the day of his internment. Ivey said the pontiff “left a legacy of love and compassion for all.”

The EWTN Global Catholic Network, which is based in Alabama, has switched its coverage over to live coverage of events surrounding the pope’s passing. That includes Masses, rosaries, devotions, the funeral Mass and the conclave to choose the next new pope.

Pope Francis was 88 years old.

Trump and Tuscaloosa

President Trump took to his Truth Social social-media account to announce that he’s agreed to give the commencement address at the University of Alabama, reports AL.com’s William Thornton.

He also said he’ll be doing the same at West Point.

He said dates and times are TBA. Alabama’s spring commencement ceremonies are scheduled for May 2-4.

Trump was last in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 28 as a presidential candidate to attend the Alabama-Georgia game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Hot housing

The real-estate market surged last month, reports AL.com’s William Thornton.

Even as economists see potentially volatile markets ahead, the Alabama Association of Realtors said there were big increases in sales and median prices.

In March, sales jumped 5.6% compared to February — and 23.2% year-over-year. And median home prices increased 9% over February’s prices and 13.4% year-over-year. The average home sale price was $255,737.

What that amounts to is around $1.59 billion worth of home sales this March. Folks, that’s 44.5% higher than in March 2024.

Higher mortgage rates and nervous consumers could stand to slow things down over coming months.

By the Numbers

24

That’s how many pounds of marijuana was found in a suitcase at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.

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