Monday’s Live with Kelly and Mark kicked off with the “really sad news” of Pope Francis‘ passing at 88 years old.
Kelly Ripa apologized to viewers who she may have been “breaking” the news to, as the pope died very early this morning.
“I was up so early this morning that I watched as the news broke in real time,” she explained. “And what was interesting, one of the journalists that was covering it from Vatican City. People were asking what he was doing there, and he was telling the people that had gathered because of Easter services and because of the jubilee. He was breaking the news to them in real time, and it was just crushing to watch.”
Mark Consuelos pointed out how “amazing” it was that Pope Francis “delivered the address yesterday for Easter Sunday,” which his wife and co-host agreed was “miraculous.”
“I was saying to [Live EP Michael] Gelman backstage, this will be my third conclave since being on the show,” Ripa, who joined Live in 2001, shared.
Consuelos added, “I asked you that this morning.”
Ripa continued, “It’s wild to think about.”
The two other conclaves Ripa was referring to involved Pope John Paul II, whose term ran from 1978 until his death in 2005, and Pope Benedict XVI, who was the pope from 2005 until his 2013 resignation.
Ripa praised Pope Francis, who she said “leaves behind quite a legacy and is [a] very beloved, beloved pope.”
“As Catholics, it’s always so hard when there is transition in the church and when there’s a loss of a pope, it’s like you’re fatherless for a spell,” she added. “You almost feel fatherless in a way.”
Consuelos noted that the process of “finding the new pope” will “start right away.”
Live with Kelly and Mark airs on weekdays. Check out their website for your local listings.
The post Kelly Ripa Experiences Her “Third Conclave” On ‘Live’ After Pope Francis’ Death: “It’s Wild To Think About” appeared first on Decider.
