Press Sec. Leavitt: Pope Francis ‘Touched Millions of Lives Throughout His Tenure as the Head of the Catholic Church’

EXCERPT:

LEAVITT: "I spoke to the vice president's team this morning and they expressed how excited and grateful they were for the opportunity to have met with the Pope just yesterday. And of course we know the Pope has gone to be with the Lord this morning and I spoke to the president about that as well and he has put out a statement to say God bless the Pope and all those who loved him. He touched millions of lives throughout his tenure as the head of the Catholic Church and so it's a solemn day for Catholics around the world and we are praying for all those who loved the Pope and believed in him."