Philly mourns Pope Francis’ death, celebrates his legacy, at noon mass

The passing of Pope Francis was marked in Philadelphia by around 300 people who joined a noon mass on Easter Monday at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City.

Pope Francis, who was 88, died early Monday due to a stroke and heart failure at his Vatican residence. Catholic cardinals will now gather to plan a funeral and to select the next pope. Until then, Francis’ No. 2, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who was born in Ireland but is a naturalized U.S. citizen, will preside.

Here in Philly, attendees were grieving Francis’ death and remembering his impact on the city, the world and themselves. Many had vivid memories of his historic visit to the city nearly a decade ago.

“He will always be known to us Philadelphians as a pilgrim to Philadelphia during the World Meeting of Families in 2015,” Archbishop of Philadelphia Nelson J. Pérez said during the service. “He celebrated mass at that altar in this beautiful cathedral. He celebrated mass at the foot of the Art Museum, on the steps of Rocky.”

Helen Pron, from Media, Pa., said it was very important for her to travel into Philadelphia for the mass.

“I was here when he was in Philadelphia and I also went to Rome and I saw him at the canonization of [Pope] John Paul [II],” she said.

A decade ago, Pron came to the Parkway with her granddaughter to see Francis’ procession. She took a photo of him going by, but lost it when she updated to a new phone. 

She brought another keepsake from 2015 to Monday’s service, wearing a shirt she bought then that commemorated the pope’s visit. It was the first time she had worn it since Francis’ visit, she said.

‘Most admirable people in my lifetime’

Brian DiStefano, from Center City, was also on the Ben Franklin Parkway when Francis paraded by. He had another chance to see him in Rome, while visiting his daughter Shannon, who was studying there. 

“What I really remember, we had two little baby twins in front of us. He made a beeline for the babies as he walked down the aisle,” DiStefano recalled. “He loved the children and blessed them.” 

“I was raised Catholic, a bit lapsed, but just from a humanitarian perspective and his strength, what he has shown to me, he’s probably one of the most admirable people in my lifetime, just what he’s been able to accomplish for everybody,” he said of Francis.

Archbishop Pérez had met with Pope Francis several times. Summing up the meetings, he remembered Francis’ “unbelievable simplicity of life” and ability to put people at ease in his presence. 

In his homily, Pérez said that Francis will always be remembered as the “Pope of the people” who always encouraged his bishops to have “‘the scent of the sheep,’ to be around the people.”

Francis’ progressive views on the LGBTQ community, climate change and capitalism, which alienated some in the church, were also highlighted and praised by those who attended the Easter Monday afternoon mass.

“He challenged the world on how we treat the poor, the marginalized, and the immigrant,” Pérez said. “He knew that they held a special place in the heart of Christ, and that he, as a shepherd, had to have a special place in his heart.”

A source of spiritual refuge

Although it was Sharon Tyson’s first time in the basilica, she felt a connection to the Pope since she moved to Center City. A victim of domestic violence, Tyson found refuge at Francis House of Peace, an affordable housing apartment building near Old City named in honor of Pope Francis. She credited Project Home, God and Pope Francis for providing her a path to safety.

“He’s not perfect, he’s a man, but his goodness is overwhelming,” she said. “So, as I walk back to my building, which is his namesake, Francis House of Peace, I’m just overwhelmed.”

DiStefano hoped that Francis’ legacy would remain even after a new Pope is chosen. 

“I think we’re very fortunate to have had him and hopefully he’s put in place a legacy that the Catholic Church continues,” DiStefano said. “Who knows where it’s going to go, but we’ve been very fortunate to have him.” 

Maureen Fratantoni, from South Philly, who participated in visits with both Francis and John Paul, said that she wanted to see the church move in a direction of love. 
“God is love. So love is the key. To love everyone,” she said.