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Jonathan Gordon

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And right now this morning on News 12, the Long Island Catholic community is remembering the loss of Pope Francis. And joining us now is Kallenberg school chaplain Father Thomas Cardone. Father Tom, thanks so much for joining us this morning, and I don't think it will come as a surprise for people that the Pope has passed away, but I think it was a surprise the fact that he made such a showing yesterday for Easter in the Popemobile, also giving an Easter blessing. Exactly, um, we even had some of our brothers in Rome yesterday, and they took pictures of the Holy Father, uh, in the Popemobile and from the balcony, and, uh, I know for me, I was very surprised. I didn't expect that when I heard, uh, when I woke up this morning. And we know that school is off this week. Students are not there, but any messages or advice or just words that you would like to give students that are are dealing with this tragedy. I think uh this is the first Pope that high school students would really remember. And I think we took students to World Youth Day in Brazil around maybe 2013, shortly after Pope Francis was elected. One of the things he told young people over and over again was, get up off the couch. It's time to act. It's time to do. It's time to be proactive as a believer. And a Christian in terms of following the life and the example of Jesus, he always encouraged young people, all young people. It didn't matter who you are, where you were, he included everybody in terms of everyone has a role in bringing the gospel to the church and into the world. Truly the people's pope, as he was called, really quickly, he visited about 10 years ago, New York. A whole lot of people were able to see him, get close to him. Were you there, Father Tom? Were you able to see him? I didn't see him in New York, not that time, but I did see him in Rome a couple of years ago. My younger brother is the Archbishop in the Solomon Islands, and shortly after he was named Archbishop, the Pope invited my brother and our family for a meeting, and we did have, uh, we spent about 45 minutes with the Holy Father in Rome just talking and, you know, listening and, you know, getting a chance to meet our dad who Actually turned 96 yesterday and the Pope couldn't believe that, you know, he was such a dynamic man at the time, but the Holy Father was always interested in, everyone from the oldest person, the person who may have been the illest person in the world, to the preborn child. He was interested in the well-being of everyone in the world. Father Tom, what a special memory for you and your family. Absolutely special connection. Thanks so much for joining us this morning. OK, thank you.

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Long Island Catholic communities remembering the loss of Pope Francis. Joining us now is the principal of St. Anthony's High School here on Long Island, Brother David Migliorino. Brother David, thanks so much for talking to us this morning. We talked a little bit in the commercial break about how shocked you were seeing Pope Francis yesterday during those Easter services. I was stunned, you know, I, I was so happy to see him yesterday waving to the people and driving around the Popemobile. I said, this man is something else. He really is something else to to be able to do that. And then this morning when I heard the news, I had to be very honest. I was completely stunned. I, I, I, I, I was, I'm still like in shock. It doesn't seem possible, but what a great man. He's the vicar of. Christ on earth for us Catholics. I'm, I'm saddened that the school was closed this week because we would be doing many, many services for the Holy Father, but, uh, our children loved him, you know, just it was just a year and a half ago that our students with brother Joshua, Mr. Farrell, and many teachers went to see, uh, the Pope at, at the, at the office at the, um. Audience on that Wednesday and uh brother Joshua remarked to me that he was in a wheelchair but when he saw the children, he, he motioned to this uh associates, I want to stand up. I want to be with the children and, and that's the man that has been our leader for 12 years. Brother David, we're actually showing a picture. We just showed a picture. Of that pilgrimage over from the students just incredible that some of those students were able to see him and witness that, right, absolutely. And, and he stayed with them for about 20 to 30 minutes. He wouldn't leave. He kept, they kept singing and he was just so filled with joy. Joshua remarked to me, he said, David, I was like stunned. He just, he just couldn't stop. So. That's the legacy he's left for us. He's a, a man of the people, the Pope for all people, for everyone. He found a place for everyone in our church, and I, and I think that's something very special, and I'm sure his successor will follow in his footsteps. Brother David, thank you so much. It's so heartbreaking, but we appreciate you coming out with us. Thank you. Let's pray for each other. God bless you. Happy Easter.

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News 12 is outside St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre.

Catholics on Long Island mourn death of Pope Francis

News 12 is outside St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre.

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