On Easter Monday, the world awoke to the news of Pope Francis’ death. At noon in our diocese, a sizable crowd gathered to mourn the late pontiff, as Bishop Barry C. Knestout offered Mass for Monday in the Octave of Easter at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond.
The Gospel reading, from Matthew 28:8-15, spoke of the chief priests’ plot to spread the story that Jesus’ body had been stolen in the night by his disciples. Bishop Knestout touched on the theme of incredulity in his homily.
“When someone you know and love has passed away, the news can come as a shock, even if you knew the danger of death was present,” said the bishop. “Thank you to all who came together today as a community of faith in prayer.”
As Christians, the bishop continued, we know that “with death comes the promise of new life.” He quoted Psalm 90:10-12, saying, “Seventy is the sum of our years, or eighty, if we are strong.”
“Pope Francis lived to the age of 88; he was certainly a strong person with strong faith,” said the bishop.
Dave and Joanie Evans, parishioners at St. Edward the Confessor, Richmond, sat in the front row during the April 21 Mass at the cathedral.
“I really felt a need to pray for our pope and the repose of his soul. Pope Francis was the pope that spoke the most to me,” said Joanie, as she fought back tears. “I’m so sad that he’s gone. It’s really hard to see our spiritual leader leave us.”
Joanie said that her sister died from breast cancer a month after the pope’s election in 2013, and that Pope Francis’ warmth and joy were as a beacon of hope for her during a time of deep personal mourning.
Bishop Knestout said that Pope Francis’ pastoral nature was reminiscent of an unpretentious parish priest, an attitude that made everyone feel welcome. Synodality, he added, was a theme of his pontificate: “He called for us to accompany one another with a listening heart.”
Andrew Parkinson attended Mass as well. He was confirmed during the Easter Vigil at St. Joseph, Richmond, two days previously.
“Waking up to hear the pope died … was a big shock,” said Parkinson. “This is going to be a hectic and interesting time – my prayer is that the next pope will be a good one.”
Mary Jo Kelly, longtime cathedral parishioner, had a bittersweet reaction after Mass.
“I’m celebrating his passing, because he is somebody that I believe Christ really wanted close to him,” she said. “He was such an incredible man.”
See more photos from the Mass in memory of Pope Francis.
Read more about Pope Francis’ death April 21.