Catholics in the Philadelphia region remember Pope Francis
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Catholics in the Philadelphia region are mourning Pope Francis, who passed away Monday at the age of 88.
He held a special place in the hearts of so many Catholics in the area, thanks in large part to his visit here nearly a decade ago.
"It's just a sad day for the Catholic community," said Danielle Sorichillo of Port Richmond.
"At first, it was a shock. The Pope is the vicar of Christ, he's the servant of servants," said Nicholas Cammaroto of Langhorne.
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Outside of noon mass at the Basilica of Ss Peter and Paul, Catholics honored Pope Francis.
The papal leader left a lasting impression on themore than one and a half million Catholics in the region after his visit in 2015.
"His compassion, and message of compassion, speaks to all of us," said Constance Brady of Fairmount.
Archbishop Nelson Perez already planned to head to Rome on Wednesday.
"He appointed me to come home back to Philly as the archbishop, and I hold a very special place in my heart for him," Perez said.
The archbishop remarked that it seemed the pope had been rallying back from his medical crisis earlier this year.
"Vintage Francis, he wanted to be among the people," Perez said. "I think he'll be remembered as a pope of joy, a pope of hope. He declared this year the Jubilee of Hope."
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In 2015, massive crowds greeted the Pope in Philadelphia, just two years after he was elected to lead the Catholic church.
"He approached it with such simplicity and joy. Watching him come down the Parkway, touching people, that was his nature," said Perez.
"I will never forget the joy his election as the first Latin American Pope brought to the Latino people," Bishop Joseph Williams, with the Diocese of Camden, said in part. "He dreamed of a Church that was poor, transparent, listening and that 'walked together.' I believe he died having brought us closer to that dream."
"As we commend his soul to God, may we find solace in the promise of the Resurrection of the Lord which we celebrated yesterday. Despite his illness and suffering, Pope Francis continued to make his presence known, seen and felt. We believe that Pope Francis, having faithfully served our Lord, now rests in the loving embrace of the Father. Let us carry forward his legacy of love, mercy, and service. May we honor his memory by living out the Gospel with renewed fervor, always seeking to be instruments of God's peace and reconciliation in our world," said Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., with the Diocese of Trenton in New Jersey.
