Wisconsin’s Catholic faithful are mourning the death of Pope Francis, who succumbed to a stroke and irreversible heart failure on Monday at the Vatican at age 88. With approximately 1.24 million Catholics in the state, the loss reverberates deeply as communities prepare for the selection of a new pope next week.

Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob, recently installed as Milwaukee’s 12th archbishop on Jan. 14, 2025, shared a heartfelt statement.

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, this Easter Monday morning. His life as a priest, bishop, and Supreme Pontiff was a testament to his deep faith and love for Jesus Christ and His Church. As a Jesuit, he lived a life of humility, always seeking to serve the poor and marginalized. His leadership was marked by a willingness to listen and a desire to bring people together, even in the face of great challenges. He called us to be a Church of mercy and compassion, reaching out to those on the peripheries. In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, we will continue to honor his legacy by living out his call to be missionary disciples. I invite all people of good will to join us in praying for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the Church prepares to elect a new pope.

Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob

Governor Tony Evers ordered Wisconsin and U.S. flags at state buildings lowered to half-staff until sunset on the day of Pope Francis’ interment, as announced in Executive Order #257.

“Pope Francis was not only an inspirational spiritual leader, but a champion for the environment, peace, the pursuit of unity through common ground, treating people with dignity, reducing poverty and greed, and shared responsibility through community,” said Evers. “His passing is a loss for followers of the Catholic faith and many people around the world. Consistent with the president’s order, Wisconsin will join in lowering the flags in honor of Pope Francis’ legacy and memory.”

Catholic Demographics and Historical Trends

Wisconsin’s Catholic population, estimated at 1.24 million or about 20% of the state’s 6.2 million residents, remains the largest religious group, according to the Pew Research Center’s 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study and 2024 U.S. Census Bureau data.

The state’s Catholic population peaked in the mid-20th century, around the 1960s, when Catholics in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee alone accounted for 38% of the region’s population. Statewide, the Catholic share was likely higher, bolstered by German, Irish, and Polish immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Since then, the proportion has declined to 22% in the archdiocese and 20% statewide, accompanied by lower Mass attendance and driven by fewer baptisms, and an aging demographic.

As of 2020, Wisconsin had approximately 700 Catholic parishes across its five dioceses: Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, La Crosse, and Superior, according to the Association of Religion Data Archives. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee, covering 10 counties, has 184 parishes, down from 261 in 1964 due to mergers and closures.

The Pope’s Role and Succession

The pope serves as the Bishop of Rome and spiritual leader of the global Catholic Church, guiding 1.4 billion faithful on matters of doctrine, appointing bishops, and addressing moral issues. Pope Francis, who led from 2013 to 2025, was celebrated for his humility and advocacy for the poor, leaving a 12-year legacy shorter than John Paul II’s 27 years but longer than Benedict XVI’s eight.

Next week, a conclave in Vatican City will convene, where cardinals under the age of 80 will vote in the Sistine Chapel.Voting will continue until a two-thirds majority selects the new pope.

Community Response

Wisconsin’s Catholic strongholds, from Milwaukee’s Basilica of St. Josaphat to Green Bay’s National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, are holding memorial Masses. Despite challenges like declining membership and aging parishes, hope persists. As Grob, in his installation homily earlier this year, noted: “Together, we will look to the future, continuing to grow what has been planted by others.”

As flags fly at half-staff, Wisconsin Catholics pray for Francis’ soul and the church’s next chapter, both here in the state and worldwide.