BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — As people around the world continue to reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis, the Buffalo Diocese offered an opportunity for residents to mourn the late pontiff together.
As the nine-day mourning period continues for Catholics everywhere, Wednesday night’s service offered the Queen City a formal setting to pray for Pope Francis’ soul at a mass at St. Joseph Cathedral.
“In the days to come, we will mourn the Holy Father,” said Bishop Michael Fisher. “We will celebrate his life and we will celebrate the fact that the Lord has risen from the dead.”
The cathedral on Franklin Street was filled with dozens as they sang and prayed for the late pope.
“He was really a pastor, a father, not some high-ranking somebody who just looks above their heads,” Buffalo resident Agnes Pataki said.
“I don’t think there’s anybody who is more cognizant with the faith he lived, what the faith is,” Buffalo resident Marianne Daugua said. “Some people wear a little cross and think that’s the faith, but he lived the faith.”
Many reflected on Pope Francis as an inspirational leader to those with and without faith, using his status with humility, all while being a fierce advocate for social justice and efforts to reform the church.
“He had a lot of amazing things to say, and I like the fact that he was for the marginalized and wanted to invite people that he felt were outcast,” said Buffalo resident Cathy Bergen.
The mass was presided over by Fisher, who said the pope’s death happening during Easter season allowed for people to reflect event deeper on the resurrection of Jesus.
“For someone to pass away during this time to die is in many ways a great blessing because you can really reflect on the meaning of a person’s life and also the meaning of their death,” Fisher said. “Death doesn’t end here, we believe that it continues.”
The pope’s funeral will take place at 4 a.m. Saturday in the Vatican. Residents said they will wake up to pray and watch.
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