Australian Catholics join world mourning for Pope

There are 5.1 million people in Australia who identify as Catholic, according to the 2021 Census, equating to about 20 per cent of the total population.

Australia's only Cardinal Mykola Bychok said Francis was a Pope for the marginalised and those on the periphery. 

"He was a man of simple piety who strove to bring the church closer to people," the cardinal said in a statement. 

"His gave freely of his gifts and had a unique personal approach to all he met."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the first Pope from the Southern Hemisphere Francis was close to the people of Australia. 

"For Australian Catholics, he was a devoted champion and loving father," Mr Albanese told reporters.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton expressed his condolences to Catholic Australians on the death of the 266th pontiff."He lived frugally and simply,'' Mr Dutton said.

"Above all else, he was driven by Christ's values of mercy and forgiveness." 

Governor-General Sam Mostyn said the Pope's visit to our region in September 2024 exemplified his devotion to the global church."As millions of Australian Catholics mourn a spiritual guide, father and friend, we can all reflect on His Holiness' message of peace; of respect for the rights and dignity of every member of our human family; and care for the Earth, our common home," Ms Mostyn said.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio ascended to become the Supreme Pontiff in 2013, making him the first Pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit Pope and the first Pope from the southern hemisphere since early Christianity.

He was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Mario, an accountant and Regina, a stay-at-home wife. 

Both were Italian immigrants, with Francis graduating as a chemical technician before choosing the path of the priesthood.

Throughout his 12-year tenure, Pope Francis was lauded for his simplicity, humility, warmth and his concern for the poor and those pushed to the edges.

His papacy centred on themes of social justice, including calling attention to people seeking asylum, refugees and migrants, and the need to care for creation, Australian Catholic University lecturer Sandie Cornish said.

"He's been very much a person who values face-to-face, embodied encounter, not talking about these issues in the abstract, but remembering the faces of the people who experience these issues," she told AAP.

Pope Francis has revitalised Catholic teaching and presided over a "paradigm shift" in his focus on the environment.

In addition to these progressive shifts, the Pope has made structural changes to the Vatican's leadership by appointing women to key positions and changing rules to allow lay people to head departments.

While Pope Francis wasn't considered to have done a perfect job in contending with sexually abusive priests' crimes, Dr Cornish believes he will be remembered as someone who tried to address the issue.

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe said the news did not come as a surprise given the Pope's age and declining health but would be received with great sadness.

"The 12 years of the papacy of Pope Francis were not without controversy," Archbishop Costelloe said. 

"His constant call that the Church should be open to everybody caused some to fear that he was putting at risk the integrity of the Church's faith and moral teaching."

Cardinal Bychok, who is on a pilgrimage in the Holy Land, will be the sole attendee from Australia at the conclave.