As Catholics the world over mourn the death of Pope Francis, New Yorkers and church leaders alike are offering tributes to the late pontiff.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, passed away at 7:35 a.m. Monday, Vatican time. He was 88.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, herself a Catholic, said she joins Catholics around the world in mourning the loss of Pope Francis.

The governor had the opportunity to meet the pope last year when she was invited to the Vatican to deliver remarks at a Pontifical Summit on climate change.

“My recollection of meeting Pope Francis is he’s a man of great humility, but also love of people," Hochul said. "And when he made a comment that struck me that he says God does not abandon any of his children. And that means he was fighting for the marginalized, members of the LGBTQ+ community, migrants, people who were impoverished [and] people who are in prison. Those are the ones that he gave God's compassion to. So that's how I was raised as a Catholic, as a social justice Catholic. And he was a man of peace, but a fighter for justice. And we mourn his passing. May he rest in peace." 

Hochul says the news comes as a surprise to her. Even though the 88-year-old was recently hospitalized, she says Francis appeared to look well Sunday during Easter services and festivities.

“For a pope to pass the day after Easter, that was significant," Hochul said. "It seemed like he wanted to be there through the most holiest of days, Holy Week, and also to be able to address the public, as he had done for over 12 years as pope on Easter morning. So, I'm really glad he was able to make that milestone and hit Easter Sunday. But, it's sad whenever it happens.”

Dennis Poust, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference, said in a statement "we have had many popes, but we have never had one quite like Pope Francis."

"Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis softened the face of the Church to the world," said Poust. "Without changing a single teaching, he nevertheless brought many to the faith through his words of mercy and accompaniment. His message resonated with untold millions of people - Catholic and non-Catholic, religious or not - as did his simple lifestyle, plain talk and sense of humor."

Bishop Edward Scharfenberger of the Catholic Diocese of Albany said Pope Francis continued with his mission of hope, healing and accompaniment even though he was suffering with his own serious health challenges.

"Preaching, teaching, and living the Gospel proclaimed by Jesus, he [Francis] inspired us to live in the light of this saving message, not only as we remember him on his last journey and throughout this Holy Year of Hope, but for all our life," said Scharfenberger.

"As one whom Pope Francis called to be a successor of the Apostles as a bishop, he has been my role model as a bishop," Bishop Douglas Lucia of the Syracuse Diocese said in a statement, noting that he'd met the pope twice within weeks of being ordained bishop.

"I haven't forgotten his advice, along with his simplicity of lifestyle that has made a lasting impression on my episcopal ministry within the Church," Lucia said. "His care for human society, along with all of God's creation, opened a new vista for me in my priestly service."

Bishop Michael Fisher of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo compared the pope's "example of humility and simplicity" to that of Jesus Christ.

"May we be constantly inspired by his pursuit of holiness, his warmth, humor, keen insights into the mysteries and traditions of our faith, and most especially, by his love for all without scorn and judgment," Fisher said in a statement.

Bishop Salvatore Matano of the Catholic Diocese of Rochester delivered a similar sentiment in his statement.

"Like Jesus, he reached out to the poor, the forgotten, the estranged, the foreigner, those on the fringes of society. Motivated by the love of Christ Jesus, he reminded us recently that 'Dilexit nos,' 'He loved us,' and Pope Francis wanted this love to extend to all God’s People," Matano said.

"I can't really describe the words, or put it into words, rather," said George Lewis of Buffalo. "The only thing I can say is ... God bless him and I hope he is going to a better place."

Tom Niland, a parishioner at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse, called Pope Francis a "great leader" in the church.

"Obviously when somebody of this magnitude passes away ... it's a huge loss for all of us," Niland said. He was such an inspiration."

New York Rep. Paul Tonko asked that people be lifted up the pope's "humble faith, modest lifestyle and groudbreaking work" despite mourning his loss.

“Our world has lost a truly remarkable servant of the people. Pope Francis embodied the values of all faiths, and as a respected global leader, worked tirelessly on behalf of those who are too often forgotten. His humble but forceful work in service to immigrant, refugee, and marginalized communities, and in pursuit of peace will live on and inspire countless across the globe."

Chuck Siefert, president of Siena College, met with Francis in Rome nearly a year ago and described the trip as lifechanging.

“We were wearing our green and gold Siena colors, of course, and the pope with his wonderful sense of humor goes, 'nice ties,'" Siefert said.

Michael Perry, director of the Laudato Si Center at Siena College, called the pontiff a friend and said he was an effective leader.

“Leadership is not someone who is a strong man, a leader is someone who recognizes the humanity and is able to call out the best of every person, the best of every situation and that’s who Pope Francis was," Perry said.

Now a series of centuries-old rituals will take place before the Papel Conclave commences to elect a new pope.

“Without saying any names, they’ll try to identify a type of leader that they think will be able to direct the church and probably more than anything else the churches engagement with the world, not to withdrawal," Perry said.