Cleveland remembers Pope Francis
(WJW) — As 250,000 people attended Pope Francis' funeral mass at the Vatican, Father Eric Garris with the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland was among them.
'Surreal is the word. The entire experience was very strange, provincial, beautiful, somber,' Garris said.
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Garris has been in Rome for a week and a half with plans to celebrate Holy Week with friends. He was in St. Peter's Basilica when the Pope passed.
Five days later, he attended Pope Francis' funeral.
'While there was a certain level of solemnity and somberness which was reflected in the rituals and liturgy and songs, there was joy. And I think the joy is a summation of Pope Francis' life,' Garris said.
Garris said he was struck by how many faithfuls cheered and clapped in Pope Francis' memory.
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Garris plans to return to Northeast Ohio Monday. He said three priests from the Diocese of Cleveland will remain at the Vatican and be present for the entirety of the papal conclave.
'I think that for people back home to know that something from Ohio was present at this thing. It wasn't just an Italian thing or a Vatican thing. When the church gathers, it gathers, and the church of Cleveland was very much present at that funeral,' Garris said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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