Idaho Catholics Plan Memorial in Downtown Boise for Pope Francis

Heartbreaking news broke just hours after surprising thousands of faithful in Rome with an Easter Sunday appearance: Pope Francis had died.

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church since 2013, Pope Francis was the first Pope to come from not only Latin America--but any of the Americas. A native to Buenos Aires, Argentina and a former nightclub bouncer, Francis was also the first ever Jesuit to be elected Pope.

The Jesuits, often referred to as 'the thinkers' of the Catholic Church, are an order of religious in the Church, founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola.

With over 50 Catholic parishes in Idaho, the faithful here are deeply impacted by the death of Pope Francis.

Bishop of the Diocese of Boise, Peter Christensen, released the following statement:

United in prayer with Catholics in Idaho, the United States, and those around the world, and with all people of goodwill, we pray in gratitude for the life of our revered shepherd. We mourn the passing of our Holy Father and ask Saint Joseph to accompany him. How blessed we have been by his leadership, and how blessed we will be for decades to come as that same leadership takes even deeper root in who we are as followers of Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Pope's reach and message, however, went far beyond just those who belong to the Catholic faith.

Pope Francis made no secret his desire to welcome everyone-- often exclaiming 'todos, todos, todos!'

He was a champion of protecting the planet from climate change, ending the death penalty, fighting for peace, welcoming the stranger, and serving those in the margins of society.

Notably quoted in 2016, Pope Francis spoke about what it meant to be 'a Christian':

It's hypocrisy to call yourself a Christian and chase away a refugee or someone seeking help, someone who is hungry or thirsty, toss out someone who is in need of my help

There have also been many, many high profile figures speaking out about the passing of Pope Francis: 

Those in Idaho hoping to take part in a memorial for Pope Francis will be able to do so this week.

The Memorial Mass will take place at St. John's Cathedral in downtown Boise and according to the Diocese of Boise, all priests of the Diocese of Boise have been invited to concelebrate the liturgy.

You do not need to be Catholic to attend the Mass.