Bishop Barry C. Knestout celebrated Solemn Vespers (Evening Prayer) on Friday, April 25, to pray for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul the evening before the pope’s funeral.
Bishop Knestout invited the faithful to join him in prayer at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond. Vespers was livestreamed through the diocesan website for those who could not attend in-person and the bishop also encouraged pastors across the diocese to celebrate Vespers in their parishes the same day.
Evening Prayer consists of psalms, canticles, and Scripture readings. Bishop Knestout shared a few thoughts about the late pontiff in his homily, saying, “Pope Francis began his journey with us in mercy. He completes it in mercy. … We ask and pray that the Lord bring Pope Francis to his presence.”
Memories of Pope Francis from our diocesan faithful
Baby blessing
Marian Pope traveled with pilgrims from the Basilica of St. Andrew, Roanoke, last fall, meeting Pope Francis during a papal audience Oct. 16, 2024. Pope Francis blessed the baby in her womb.
In October of last year, I was blessed to encounter Pope Francis after a Wednesday audience. Even greater, I was blessed for him to encounter me. Pope Francis was greeting those in our pilgrimage group, as well as our bishop and priests, when he exhorted us fervently, “Pray for me, don’t forget. This job – it’s ‘no’ easy!”
When he was wheeled up to where I, 20 weeks pregnant and in awe of every moment that passed, was standing, one of the priests in our company exclaimed, “Bambino! Bambino!” and gestured to my unborn baby. Pope Francis smiled then and waved me forward. He smiled the entire time. He placed his hand over my womb and spent a moment in silence, praying for my baby. Then he looked up at me and, still smiling, gave me a thumbs-up.
Every moment was full of love. I didn’t feel like I was just another pregnant woman of the multitudes of people he met and blessed every day. I felt like I was one of his own flock and that he was excited to meet me.
This, I believe, was the way of Pope Francis. His heart was for his people and I believe every moment of his papacy exemplified this.
Our baby, John David, is now two months old and is a joyful, pleasant boy! In moments of anxiety during the pregnancy and postpartum, I was comforted by the thought that Pope Francis had taken a moment to love Johnny and to bless him.
— Marian Pope
Last papal audience
Rosario Igharas and her husband Rowen, parishioners of St. Michael the Archangel, Glen Allen, were in Rome on pilgrimage this winter with 70 others from our diocese. They encountered Pope Francis during what was to be his last papal audience on Feb. 12.
Some 70 of us pilgrims from Richmond woke up at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12 and were in line early for the security check. I got a seat quite a distance from the stage but right next to the aisle where Pope Francis would pass by, and I could hardly contain my excitement.
Finally, Pope Francis was on stage and the auditorium was filled with alternating excited screams and silence to catch every word that our beloved pontiff uttered – the greeting, the catechesis, and the Apostolic blessing!
Even from afar, I could feel the pope’s energy and charisma which could not be contained in his frail body in a wheelchair.
The Gospel that was read was from Luke 2:10-12, and the pope urged us to “reflect on the humility of the Son of God who chose to enter our human history not with resounding proclamation but in poverty and simplicity.”
We waited about an hour and a half after the catechesis for Pope Francis to be wheeled down the aisle so we could catch a glimpse of him up close. We were not sure that he would come our way because he was not feeling well. But he did pass very close to where I was and blessed us and our religious artifacts.
I cherished every moment I was in that auditorium in the pope’s presence.
— Rosario Igharas
Final public appearance
David Reardon and his wife Melanie, parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes, Richmond, were in St. Peter’s Square for the final public appearance of Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, April 20.
In our lives, there are events that transform our spirit and display the wonderful power of God. In Psalm 51:12, David proclaims, “A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit.” During our pilgrimage to Rome for Easter week, God blessed us with his spirit and brought us closer to him.
After attending Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Square, we were hopeful for an appearance and benediction from Pope Francis. The crowd agreed with us by chanting his name and breaking out in applause. What a wonderful treat to hear his final blessing and to see him greet the faithful by traveling around the square.
Like the rest of the world, we were shocked to hear the news of his passing so soon after his appearance. As we visited churches throughout the week, we witnessed those in silent prayer in front of makeshift tributes to the pope. Later in the week, we joined others to pay our last respects at St. Peter’s Basilica. It was evident as we moved in the line that the crowd represented diverse nationalities and backgrounds.
We reflected on our week, in which we witnessed places of martyrdom, faithful prayer and song, and quiet reflections of Pope Francis’ life. Rest in peace, Papa Francisco.
— David Reardon