Boston, MA
Boston archbishop remembers Pope Francis: ‘His example remains a guiding light’
In the wake of Pope Francis’ death Monday, the head of Boston’s archdiocese called the Catholic leader’s legacy “broad and deep.”
Archbishop Richard G. Henning, who was appointed to lead the Boston archdiocese by Francis in 2024, said the pontiff “continuously called us to deeper faith and to a more generous participation in the boundless compassion of God.”
“I was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Pope Francis. His legacy as Holy Father is broad and deep,” Henning said. “His example remains a guiding light to the Universal Church. Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph, may he rest in peace.”
From his election on March 13, 2013, the Argentine-born Jorge Mario Bergoglio signaled a different papacy, embracing refugees and the downtrodden, especially following the troubled tenure of Pope Benedict XVI, who surprisingly resigned.
But conservatives grew increasingly upset with Francis’ progressive bent, outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics and crackdown on traditionalists. He badly botched a notorious case of clergy sexual abuse in 2018.
Francis entered Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia and, at 38 days, became the longest hospitalization of his papacy. Part of his right lung was removed in the late 1950s after a bout of pneumonia, and he suffered from chronic lung disease.
He emerged on Easter Sunday — his last public appearance, a day before his death — to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square, drawing wild cheers and applause. He died hours later.
Francis’ death now sets off a weekslong process of allowing the faithful to pay their final respects, first for Vatican officials in the Santa Marta chapel and then in St. Peter’s for the general public, followed by a funeral and a conclave to elect a new pope.
Police are seeking the public’s help identifying someone wanted in connection with a vandalism incident that involved Boston Transportation Department traffic control boxes on Thursday.
According to Boston police, the person in the pictures distributed Saturday show someone who reportedly accessed traffic control boxes, cut the electrical wires and disabled the traffic lights at multiple intersections, including at Washington and Kneeland streets, and at Washington and Lagrange streets.
The man police hope to identify is described as light-skinned with a grey beard, wearing a black hat, black jacket, yellow hooded sweatshirt, black pants, and brown construction boots.
The suspect was seen walking with an imbalanced gate or limp, and carrying a long pole.
He is believed to have been involved in a similar incident that occurred on Saturday at Boylston Street and Hadassah Way, where the suspect was seen wearing the same clothing.
The Boston Police Department is actively reviewing this incident. Anyone with information is strongly urged to contact detectives at 617-343-4239. Photos and videos related to the investigation can also be submitted anonymously via CrimeStoppers, which people can reach by calling 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting “TIP” to CRIME (27463).
The weekend is improving, but it will be a slow process.
Lots of clouds around today. We risk a passing shower, but much of the day will be dry (and dull gray).
Glimpses – or even wholesale breaks – of sun are possible, but I don’t want to oversell any bright weather.
Highs stay in the “I’ll never complain about the heat again” range of the low 60s.
We’ll see more sunny spells tomorrow along with a steady northwest breeze. This will help us reach the mid-60s as we hold back the sea breeze for one more day.
There’s still a very small chance at a shower in the afternoon, but this is nothing to cancel plans over or throw your hands up in disgust. (OK, you’re allowed.)
Memorial Day remains the pick of the weekend, despite the fact that it may fall short of stellar beach weather. The sea breeze returns at the coast, so highs will fall just short of 70.
Away from the coast, we expect low 70s, with abundant sun for all.
Once again, we may run into a very brief, afternoon shower, predominately away from the coast.
Next week sees a return to steady highs in the 70s with occasional sea breezes at the coast. Heat stays away, humidity stays low, and the next chance for showers may hold off until Thursday.
Enjoy the holiday weekend and be safe!
Boston Red Sox star Alex Bregman left the first game of Friday’s doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles with an apparent leg injury.
Bregman singled to left field off the Green Monster and seemed to get caught in-between whether or not he wanted to run to second. He immediately left the game.
While it’s too early to speculate on the severity, any missed time would be devastating for Boston. The 31-year-old, who was signed this past offseason, is hitting .299 with a .385 on-base percentage. In the absence of Triston Casas and the struggles of Trevor Story, he’s been a driving force in the team’s lineup, also popping 11 homers and driving in 35.
A 10-year veteran of the Houston Astros and Red Sox, Bregman is a career .273 hitter with 202 home runs. He is a two-time All-Star and a two-time World Series champion, and he is also a Gold Glover and a Silver Slugger.
Should Bregman need to miss any time, the team could elect to put Rafael Devers back at third base, however, he’s been resistant to play defense again after moving to designated hitter this offseason to accommodate Bregman.
The second game of the doubleheader will be played at 7:10 p.m. ET as Lucas Giolito takes the mound for Boston.
Boston hasn’t made the playoffs since the 2021 season, when they advanced to the American League Championship Series. They last won the World Series in 2018 when they beat the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Red Sox are 25-26 entering play on Friday.
HISTORY-MAKING PERFORMANCE: Garrett Crochet, who was acquired this offseason by the Red Sox, is in a rare class of pitchers through his first 11 starts. CLICK HERE:
STEADY FRANKIE: Francisco Lindor, in his 11th year, just joined a special group of shortstops with his latest home run. CLICK HERE:
REPEAT PERFORMANCE? The Tigers are on a run unlike anything they’ve seen since they won the World Series in 1984. CLICK HERE:
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