Pope Francis passed away Monday at the age of 88 following an extended battle with his health. He had been making more public appearances, including giving a final Easter blessing and taking a ride in his "popemobile" on Easter Sunday.
Many had hoped that he was making a full recovery from a recent and intensive hospital stay and were shocked to learn the news of his death.
He was a Pope of many firsts: the first Jesuit Pope, the first Pope from the Americas, and the first Pope from outside of Europe in over a millennium.
Pope Francis preached often about poverty, immigrants and the environment. He was a tireless advocate for peace, traveling the globe to broker agreements.
He opened up the Catholic Church to previously taboo subjects, like the blessing of same-sex marriages, allowing women to have a greater role in church leadership, and even floated the idea of allowing priests to get married. Many view him as a progressive faith leader, others say he didn't go far enough.
Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis, and discuss what lies ahead for the Catholic Church.
Later in the hour, we'll bring you a new episode of Ideastream Public Media's podcast, "Living for We: Keep Ya Head Up." This season is focused on gun violence and the various efforts to keep people and neighborhoods safe.
The sixth episode, "Feared and Revered," is focused on a community figure, Antoine Tolbert, known to many as Chairman Fahiem.
Fahiem leads New Era Cleveland which works to empower neighborhoods hard hit by gun violence. He and his team are known for patrolling streets, often armed to keep the peace.
The Saint Luke's Foundation recently awarded the group $150,000 to support its violence intervention efforts and to train a trauma response team. Residents sometimes prefer New Era to law enforcement. But not everyone is always on board with the group and Chairman Fahiem.
Guests:
- Edward J. Peck, Ph.D., Vice President for University Mission and Identity, John Carroll University
- Jonathan Tan, Ph.D., Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan Professor of Catholic Studies I, Case Western Reserve University
- Ben DeGarmo, Jesuit Volunteer Corps
- Marlene Harris-Taylor, Co-Host, "Living for We" & Director, Engaged Journalism, Ideastream Public Media
- Myesha Watkins, Co-Host, "Living for We" & Executive Director, Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance
- Antoine "Chairman Fahiem" Tolbert, President, New Era Cleveland
