Frank Caprio, the chief judge of the municipal court of Providence, Rhode Island, who became a global sensation for his compassionate rulings on the hit reality show Caught in Providence, died Wednesday following a long battle with pancreatic cancer,

Just a day before his passing, Caprio shared a video from his hospital bed asking followers to pray for him. “Unfortunately, I’ve had a setback... I’m a great believer in the power of prayers,” he said.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Frank Caprio, who served as a judge for the Providence Municipal Court for almost 40 years, has died. He was 88. Caprio’s death was confirmed Wednesday by his son.