ORLANDO  |  Upon the sad news of Pope Francis’s death April 21, Bishop John Noonan celebrated Mass at St. James Cathedral in remembrance of the pope’s life and legacy of love for the poor and his work of reforming the Church.

“Pope Francis came into the world and knelt down before the people and asked the people to pray for him,” Bishop Noonan said. “Never before had it happened. He then said, ‘As you pray for me, I pray for you.’ I think that’s his message to the world.”

Bishop Noonan recalled last meeting the pope with Father Dominic Buckley during an ad limina meeting in Rome, where dioceses report on the Church in their region. Charmed by his practicality and authenticity, the two priests sat and talked with Pope Francis as friends. “He was a joy to be around,” the bishop said.

He recalled the simple way he lived and noted, “That is how he wanted us to live.” He added, “He received a mandate to reform the Curia and the changes were evident. The Curia was there to serve the Church. And pastorally, for Pope Francis, it was always about the people.”

Concelebrating the Mass at St. James were St. James Cathedral rector, Father Miguel González, Father Ángel García, and Father Phillip Mills.

Father García, of Holy Cross Parish in Orlando, recalled the pope being elected as he discerned priesthood in high school. “It was really impactful to see this pope who, from the beginning, showed humility and a simplicity in the closeness with the people,” he shared.

In 2023, Father García traveled to World Youth Day in Portugal and was enthralled by the pope’s candor and holiness. And so were millions of young people from around the world.

Deacon Dave Camous recalled still working on a cruise ship when Pope Francis was elected and receiving a call from his then 21-year-old daughter. She shared her excitement saying, “Dad, I believe this pope sees me.” He said, “I pray the Church continues to see the unseen Pope Francis drew our attention to.”

Father Mills was most impressed with how Pope Francis “never talked about God’s mercy as something he was there to give to you. He always spoke about how he has received that mercy from Christ, and he wants to bring us to Christ — for us to receive that in that relationship with Him.” Ultimately, that was the focus of all of Pope Francis’s work, to bring God’s mercy to the world.

Known for his identification with immigrants and those on the fringes, Puerto Rican born Father González said, “As an immigrant himself, Pope Francis knew those struggles. We need to bring hope, as is the theme of this year’s Jubilee. We need to discern and prayerfully consider that we are all pilgrims. We are all sons and daughters of God and, because we are brothers and sisters, we must continue this journey together, helping each other in the same spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis’s namesake.”

He added, “Remember the poor. I think that’s what we need to be mindful of as we continue the journey with God’s people — is to remember those in need, to remember the forgotten, to reach out to them with love… to the poor, to the homeless, to those who suffer.”

Father González also shared an appreciation for Pope Francis’s “beautiful ministry of presence.” “For me as a Hispanic, that is part of the Hispanic individual who is always opening the doors to serve people and meet them where they are.”

Looking ahead, Father González shared cardinals were already making their way to Rome for the conclave, to elect a new pope, even as funeral arrangements were being finalized. He told media the Pope’s ring was already crushed. The ring was formerly used as a seal for the pope’s private letters and papal briefs. Although the “Fisherman’s Ring” is no longer used as a seal, it signifies his authority. When a pope dies, it is crushed indicating the end of the pope’s authority. Now we move forward with sede vacante, or a vacant seat until a new pope is elected. A new pope will be elected by a two-thirds majority by the cardinals, who now come from more countries than ever before, far beyond Europe and the United States thanks to Pope Francis’s reforms.

In closing, Bishop Noonan said Pope Francis wanted the people to know and love the Sacred Heart of Jesus, just as Jesus loves us. “His last encyclical (Dilexit Nos) was about the heart, change your heart,” said Bishop Noonan. “And the heart of Francis was to bring peace into our world.”

Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, April 26. As a Jesuit, he found a special connection to the church, being where Jesuit founder St. Ignatius of Loyola celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving. n

Many parishes throughout the dioceses are holding vigils and Eucharistic Adoration to remember the pope. Check your parish website for prayer opportunities.

Watch the press conference here.

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic Staff, April 24, 2025