Dozens of 海角社区官网Catholics gathered at St. Michael鈥檚 Cathedral Basilica for a sombre Easter Monday mass, mourning the death of Pope Francis 鈥 who they remember as humble, kind and open-minded.
Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, died Monday. He was 88.聽The Vatican said he died of a cerebral stroke that put him in a coma and led to irreversible heart failure.聽
The Catholics at St. Michael’s grieved his death with acceptance and admiration.聽
鈥淭his is the first death of the Pope I鈥檝e experienced as I鈥檝e understood my faith more,” said聽churchgoer and Oakville resident David Venturi.聽“And I feel at peace and happy in a strange way 鈥 in a good way.”
鈥淚 think this is the peace you get from experiencing funerals, the tradition, understanding the faith and what happens after death. So it’s mourning and there鈥檚 peace as well.鈥
Father Joshua Roldan, a pastor at St. John鈥檚 Parish in 海角社区官网who led Monday’s mass at the basilica, was caught off guard by the news of the Pope鈥檚 death, especially after Francis addressed thousands of worshippers from St. Peter鈥檚 Square on Sunday.
When he realized the news was official, he immediately went to his parish to pray.
鈥淗e was like our father giving us a final blessing,鈥 he said of Sunday鈥檚 Easter address. 鈥淚 remember hearing his voice and going, 鈥楾hank you, Lord, for giving us someone like Pope Francis.鈥欌
Roldan was ordained in 2013, the same year Francis became pope. He remembers being at his seminary the day white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, signalling a new pope had been chosen.
Father Joshua Roldan, a pastor at St. John鈥檚 Parish in Toronto, was caught off guard by the news of the Pope鈥檚 death.
Nick Lachance/海角社区官网StarJoining a crowd around the TV, Roldan watched Francis step onto the balcony at St. Peter鈥檚 Square towards the worshippers. He was struck by his humility as he bowed before the crowd and asked them to pray for him.
鈥淚 remember in this moment, seeing a man who was just humbled by the call to become the Holy Father, but also reminding us all that the Pope, too, is human, just like everyone else,鈥 Roldan said. 鈥淗e reminded us of that constantly 鈥 that we all need God’s mercy, we all need God’s love.鈥
At St. Michael’s, some churchgoers crowded in the courtyard after the service, and others remained seated, continuing their prayers. As they exited the cathedral, they kneeled or bowed in a sign of worship.
The Canadian flag outside the cathedral was at half-mast. The city announced that flags on official flagpoles at 海角社区官网City Hall, Metro Hall and the civic centres will also be flown at half-mast until the end of the day of the funeral, yet to be scheduled.
Churchgoer Gary Toneguzzo, who鈥檚 in his late 60s, said the Pope鈥檚 advocacy for the poor and pursuit of world peace left a lasting impression.
鈥淗e had such a personal touch with people, and it was so evident when he went around kissing babies or to people with disabilities. He had a really warm personal response and this radiant smile,鈥 Toneguzzo said. 鈥淧ope John Paul II was great with the crowds. Pope Benedict was a great scholar 鈥 but Pope Francis just brought something different to it.
鈥淗e brought it back down to Earth.鈥
David Venturi, who lost his faith for nearly a decade before returning to Catholicism during the pandemic, clutches a Bible as he says he’s grateful to have experienced Pope Francis鈥檚 leadership.聽
Nick Lachance/海角社区官网StarFather Frank Portelli, rector of St. Michael鈥檚 Cathedral Basilica, says in some sense it鈥檚 providential that the Pope died during the Easter Octave, the eight days commemorating Jesus’s death and resurrection.
鈥淭he pain and the sorrow that we feel when someone passes is proportionate to the amount that we love,” he said. “Their sadness reflects the love they have for Pope Francis.鈥
His death begins a weeks-long process filled with centuries-old traditions leading to the election of a new pope. The conclave will culminate with 135 cardinals 鈥 including five from Canada 鈥 voting behind locked doors in the Sistine Chapel.
While it鈥檚 considered unlikely a Canadian cardinal will be elected, they will participate in the process. Toronto鈥檚 two cardinals, Thomas Collins and Frank Leo, represent different ends of the spectrum: Collins, 78, is likely too old to be seriously considered, while Leo, 53, was only elevated to the position last year.
It’s unlikely a Canadian will replace Pope Francis, but here are the top candidates.
It’s unlikely a Canadian will replace Pope Francis, but here are the top candidates.
Leo will lead a mass at St. Michael鈥檚 on Tuesday morning for the repose of Francis鈥檚 soul before flying to Rome to join the conclave proceedings.
鈥淪ince 2013, our shepherd has guided the flock lovingly and served as a global ambassador of peace, hope and love,鈥 Leo said in a statement shared by the Archdiocese of Toronto. 鈥淭he Holy Father鈥檚 humility, compassion and care for others, most especially the poor and marginalized, has served as a powerful witness and a reminder of our daily call to reflect the face of Jesus to all those whom we encounter.鈥
Venturi, who lost his faith for nearly a decade before returning to Catholicism during the pandemic, said he is grateful to have experienced Francis鈥檚 leadership.
He hopes there is space for mourning and reflection before attention turns to the future.
鈥淚’ve seen different sides,鈥 he says of the opinions on Pope Francis鈥檚 legacy. 鈥淚 hope it’s a legacy of love.”
Francis came to Canada in 2022聽to deliver a long sought-after apology for the role Catholics played in the Indigenous residential school system.聽
Francis came to Canada in 2022聽to deliver a long sought-after apology for the role Catholics played in the Indigenous residential school system.聽
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