NEW YORK, USA — A solemn Mass was celebrated at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan to honor the late Pope Francis, who passed away earlier this week. The service gathered religious groups, diplomats, and members of the faithful to pray for the eternal repose of the Pope’s soul.
Presiding over the Mass was New York’s Timothy Cardinal Dolan, who is set to depart for the Vatican to attend the Pope’s funeral and the upcoming conclave. Philippine Consul General Senen Mangalile also joined the attendees.
A photo of Pope Francis and the chair he used during his 2015 visit remain displayed at the cathedral’s altar. These serve as reminders of his historic stop in New York.
In his homily, Cardinal Dolan praised Pope Francis for his enduring humility and compassion, even in his final moments.
“We praise God for the gift that Pope Francis was to all of us—a gift to be long savored,” Cardinal Dolan said.
He noted how the Pope’s willingness to show his physical frailty—using a wheelchair and oxygen support—revealed a leader unafraid to be human and relatable.
“You could never meet him without him asking, ‘Please pray for me,’” Dolan added, drawing laughter as he remarked that Francis often asked priests to keep homilies short.
Mourners like Henry Layug expressed deep sorrow, saying he never saw the Pope in person but admired him for his humility and hope.
KC Ocampo shared that the Pope’s simplicity made him deeply relatable. “He was the people’s Pope,” she said.
Mrs. Reynoso said she was so devastated upon hearing the news that she couldn’t go to work.
Ed Ramos, who saw the Pope during a Vatican visit last year, described Francis’ presence as overwhelmingly spiritual. “It was like going to confession,” he said.
Outside the cathedral, tourists lit candles and bought memorabilia honoring the late pontiff, as tributes continued to pour in worldwide.