‘His loss is great’: Ohio, Kentucky leaders react to death of Pope Francis

ThedeathofPopeFrancisMondayhaselicitedreactionfromleadersfromacrosstheworld,includingthosethoseinOhio,KentuckyandIndiana.Francisdiedattheageof88afterbattlinghealthconcernsformostoftheyear.InFebruary,hewashospitalizedfornearly40daysforarespiratorycrisisthatdevelopedintodoublepneumonia.AslocalleadersarewakingupMondaymorning,they’resharingstatementsofremembranceandhopeinhonorofthepontiff.VicePresidentJDVanceVance,whometwithFrancistoexchangeEastergreetingsonSunday,sentastatementonXearlyMondaymorning.“IjustlearnedofthepassingofPopeFrancis.MyheartgoesouttothemillionsofChristiansallovertheworldwholovedhim,”VancesaidinastatementonX.”Iwashappytoseehimyesterday,thoughhewasobviouslyveryill.ButI’llalwaysrememberhimforthebelowhomilyhegaveintheveryearlydaysofCOVID.Itwasreallyquitebeautiful.”MayGodresthissoul.”KentuckyGovernorAndyBeshearInhisstatement,BeshearsaysFrancis“earnedt