PHOTOS | 'Let's raise our hearts in gratitude for Pope Francis': Archbishop Aquila and Coloradans Gather to Honor Pope Francis on the Day of his Passing
- André Escaleira, Jr.
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
The air in Downtown Denver was a bit heavier than normal on Monday, as hundreds gathered at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception for a noon Mass offered for Pope Francis following his passing.
The Mass and other prayers for Pope Francis brought together mourners of all ages, cultures and experiences — a fitting tribute to the first pope from the New World, a pontiff who touched the hearts of millions around the world.
By the time the mourners arrived, the Cathedral had already engaged certain solemn preparations. With the help of the Denver Fire Department, black bunting was hung over the main doors of the Cathedral Basilica, signifying the Church’s mourning for her spiritual father. On the left of the sanctuary, in front of the side altar dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a simple memorial was set up for quiet prayer. The ombrellino, a sign of the pope’s authority given only to basilicas around the world to show their connection to the Holy Father as his special churches, was closed completely, signifying the sede vacante — the vacant Holy See.
An hour before the Mass, Father Sam Morehead, the cathedral rector, led those gathered in prayers for the Holy Father, coming from the Church’s rites. Following that, a Rosary was prayed, asking Mary’s intercession for the beloved pope. Meanwhile, the Cathedral Basilica’s bells tolled steadily, somberly and slowly, crying out amid the hustle and bustle of Downtown Denver.
Even as the Church begins the Easter Octave — the eight days following the Resurrection of the Lord, which are treated as “mini-Easters” — she mourns the death of her spiritual father in the traditional novemdiales, or nine-day mourning period following the death of the pope.
Yet, the fact that these two periods coincide shows the Church and the world a beautiful truth of the Gospel, Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila said in his homily.
(Photos by André Escaleira, Jr.)
“The Lord reminds us he can call us at any time, that his time might not be our time. It is also a reminder to us that death has been conquered — it is an Easter Monday that he was called to the house of the Father — that as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and eternal life, that Jesus is truly risen from the dead,” the archbishop said in his homily.
With Jesus’ rising from the dead, celebrated yesterday and for the next 50 days, the world surely receives a great gift — that of eternal life. In his passing on the first day of this pivotal period, Pope Francis continues to point to the great hope the Church has in Jesus, risen from the dead.
“Pope Francis was one who proclaimed that the Good News of Jesus Christ, even in the midst of the world and all of the confusion in the world, the mess that the world is,” the archbishop continued. “He always pointed to Jesus Christ as the only solution.”
Throughout his pontificate, the archbishop noted, the reforming pontiff showed a special solicitude for the poor, the suffering and the marginalized, exhorting the Church to find Jesus in the poor, to serve Jesus in the poor and to be Jesus to the poor.
“Pope Francis was one who preached of the mercy of God, one who reached out to the poor, to the outcast, one who reached out to those who are on the peripheries of society, whether they are in jail, whether they are sick or elderly, whether they have been abandoned or homeless, or immigrants. He always reminded us of the importance of reflecting the mercy of God,” he said to those gathered.
Of course, this outreach did not contradict the call to conversion found throughout the Gospel and especially in the stories of the Samaritan woman, the woman caught in adultery, Zaccheus or Peter, following his denial of Christ, Archbishop Aquila said. In fact, Pope Francis embodied that very call, regularly and humbly asking for prayers and forgiveness throughout his pontificate.
“That was the consistent invitation Pope Francis gave during his twelve years as our Holy Father. Yes, he knew he was a sinner. Yes, he knew that he needed the mercy of Jesus Christ, and he invited others into that truth,” the archbishop explained. “And today, we trust the Lord as we celebrate this Eucharist, that he, too, now celebrates that gift of eternal life — the promise to those who are faithful to Jesus Christ and to his teaching. And we lift our hearts in gratitude to the Father for the gift of his life, for the gift of his witness, for his simplicity of life, for his outreach to those who were on the outskirts of society.”
As the Church gives thanks for the evangelical witness of such a Holy Father, she should also remember that she, too, is called to walk in his footsteps — the footsteps of Christ.
"We are reminded, too, that we, too, are called to give witness, to be those who, as his disciples, point to Jesus Christ and carry out the corporal works of mercy, the spiritual works of mercy, and being those who live the Gospel. We proclaim that Jesus Christ is risen, and so as we lift our prayers for the repose of his soul, as we lift our prayers in gratitude to the Father for the witness of his life, as we lift our prayers for all those who mourn — we know we should be comforted because of our faith in Jesus Christ,” he said.
For the mourners gathered, the occasion was a solemn and somber one, but one imbued with a spirit of hope.
“It is sad to have Pope Francis die but it as if it is perfect timing. Pope Francis suffered so much in Lent and, during the Easter season, gets to enter into the heavenly banquet. It is as if God gave us Pope Francis as a demonstration of hope in the Resurrection, very fitting for this Jubilee Year,” said Daniel Sasala.
“Naturally, I was saddened by the news of Pope Francis’ passing because he has been the Holy Father for most of my life. It does feel like losing a dear family member. Yet, I am grateful that the Lord permitted him to pass after Easter arrived. I think, even up to his death, Pope Francis served as a witness of perseverance and courage to continue with God’s will daily. I mean, who survives double pneumonia with only one lung at 88 years old, and with such fidelity to God? I am encouraged by how he challenged his flock to be an adamant witness to Christ’s authentic and liberating love,” said Deisy Muñoz.
With further news and prayer services forthcoming, the Church is left in the mysterious period of mournful hope. While grieving the passing of the Holy Father, she celebrates the hope that the Resurrection of Jesus brings — yesterday, on Easter Sunday, today and forever.
“Let us open our hearts today, as we pray for the repose of his soul, to the truth that has been given to us in the Gospel: that as the women saw the empty tomb and heard the announcement of the angels, they encountered Jesus and heard his words, ‘Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me’ (Matthew 28:10). We too are called to proclaim the same today, that we truly see that Jesus is risen and the lives of holiness that people live. May we always be those who point to him,” the archbishop concluded.
