‘There’s an emptiness’: Maritimers react to death of Pope Francis

Pope Francis died early on Easter Monday at 88-years-old after a period of intermittent hospital visits.

Father Angus Johnston, the Priest for Queen of All Saints Parishes in Moncton said the news of his passing came as a shock despite knowing he was sick.

“Our Easter message is that of the resurrection, of Christ defeating death and that is powerful, it’s joyful, we’re shocked,” Johnston said. “We’re missing Francis. There’s an emptiness there and yet we know that for Francis and for us all, death is victory. Death is life.”

A regular morning mass was held at St. Lawrence O’Toole on Monday. Johnston said it gave people the chance to come together following the news.

“You start to recognize how important he has been to us over these last 12 years and what a dynamic force he’s been in the church and how close he’s been to us and the poor and the needy and the outcast and all of these things and all the important things he has brought to us,” Johnston said.

The cause of Pope Francis’ death was determined to be a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure.

People took to social media and gathered at special services around the world to honour the pope and his legacy.

“Just that sincere kindness that he had. Just it was very genuine. He seemed to be very caring and he really motivated people to do better, to be better,” said Glenn Bourque from Yarmouth, N.S.

“It’s the open-mindedness, that ability to be able to move forward. Tradition is always nice, but sometimes it runs its course,” Bourque said. “It’s always nice and fresh to have somebody come in and change the direction, still keeping the essence, but moving forward in a different direction.”

In Halifax, parishioners went to Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica for an Easter Mass that included prayers for Pope Francis following the news of his death.

A portrait of the late Pope was placed at the front of the cathedral beside candles. For many in attendance, the moment felt deeply personal.

“Coming here seemed like the right thing to do,” said Pat Curran. “I think it’s a huge loss. It’s probably the first time I ever had a few tears in my eyes after the Pope died.”

Across Canada, Pope Francis is remembered for apologizing in 2022 for the legacy of residential schools.

“I ask for God’s forgiveness and I want to say to you with all of my heart, I am very sorry,” the pope said nearly three years ago.

Francis was described as a “progressive” leader during his 12 years as pope but Father Johnston said that term doesn’t always capture who he was. He said Francis led in an influential and long-lasting way.

“God is both unchanging and progressive at the same time and our pope has led us towards the truth and recognizing our weaknesses, recognizing the ways that we have failed the needy, the poor, the abused, the outcasts and to recognize that God truly wants us to search for the true answers, the true things. Pope Francis has a profound understanding of God’s truth,” Johnston said.

-With files from Hafsa Arif

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