Special mass held in memory of Pope Francis in Massachusetts the night before his funeral
The night before Pope Francis was laid to rest halfway around the world, Catholics gathered in Stoughton, Massachusetts for a special mass to pray for him.
When the world first met Pope Francis in 2013, he asked for people to pray for him. And in Stoughton, Catholics did just that at St. James Church Friday night. A similar service was held Wednesday night in West Roxbury led by Boston Archbishop Richard Henning.
Praying for Pope Francis
During the mass, parishioners prayed for Francis' soul and simply to be more like him.
"Just gentleness and inclusive and beautiful, compassionate," said Randolph resident Maureen Toscano. "There are so many wonderful words to describe him. He was a good role model for us, just like Jesus."
Middleboro resident Ana Gonzalez, whose son Nick is pursuing the priesthood, said he was honored to meet Pope Francis last summer.
"I have the picture of the two of them right as I wake up, after my prayers, that's what I see," said Gonzalez. "You can see the respect, the appreciation, the love between the two of them."
Parishioners found pope inspiring
And that is the way parishioners said Pope Francis lived, with respect, appreciation and love for all.
"He tried to be such a force for peace and that's what we need right now in this world," said Walpole resident Sol Garcia. "We definitely need lots of peace and we need someone like him."
"We're so blessed to have him as a pope and I hope that the next one will be also such a blessing to the entire world," said Stoughton resident Sonia St. Louis.
In his sermon, Auxiliary Bishop Cristiano Barbosa mentioned his own sadness and tears when learning of the pope's passing just hours after celebrating Easter. But he said he was quickly filled by hope in his heart because hope is what Pope Francis gave to everyone.
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