Catholic Diocese of Austin bishop appointment delayed after Pope Francis' death

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Catholic Diocese of Austin does not have a bishop, and that search is now prolonged after the death of Pope Francis.

Effective on March 25, former Bishop Joe Vasquez is now the archbishop of Galveston-Houston. Since the pope appoints new bishops to a diocese, that leaves the Diocese of Austin without one until further notice.

Catholics at mass services in Austin on Monday expressed feeling the weight of the loss of the global leader, and what's happening locally.

"It's a lot of uncertainty right now, we're living through hard times, and we need a good leader," Carla Sanchez said.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops also announced it would be ending decades-long partnerships with the federal government, serving refugees and migrant children, due to the Trump administration's funding cuts.

The Catholic Charities of Central Texas is impacted by those cuts as well.

"We trust God," Allison Cavazos, interim director for the Catholic Charities, said. "Our programs continue to move forward, regardless of what is kind of happening out in the larger world. However, we also look to these leaders to help set direction priorities."

Their mission, in large part, is guided by Pope Francis' example. It is deeply rooted in faith, as it and the Catholic Diocese of Austin trust what's to come here locally and beyond.