West Michigan Catholics watch as pope remains hospitalized
'There's of course a certain sadness,' Rev. Robert Sirico, pastor emeritus of in Grand Rapids, said. 'You have a father in his final days, probably. So there is concern.'
The Diocese of Grand Rapids and are turning to prayer as they consider daily updates on the pope's battle with double pneumonia.
Pope Francis shows slight improvement as he battles pneumonia
Sirico recently helped the city's youngest parishioners begin to sort through their feelings.
'(Grand Rapids Diocese) Bishop (David) Walkowiak has asked all Catholic parishes to be in prayer for the Holy Father. There's a lot of rosaries that have been led,' Sirico told News 8. 'I just came from Mass with the children. I talked to them about losing a parent and needing to be close to him in prayer. So the children are praying for him.'
For some, the distinctive style and politics of Pope Francis make dealing with his potential passing complicated.
'I think his legacy is yet to be determined,' Sirico said. 'It is true that this is a very distinctive pontificate. What he did in any formal statement having to do with doctrine or hot-button issues was always to affirm the perennial teaching of the Catholic Church, but what he attempted to do was reach out with great compassion to people who would feel alienated by that message. In doing so, I think Francis emulated the example of Christ. It's no secret a lot of people disagreed with a lot (he) said or did, but even then, there is an affection for the role he has played and the good he has attempted to do.'
'Old and new coming together': Former home of Dominican Sisters becomes senior housing
Last year, Pope Francis made changes to the traditional burial rites for a pope. He moved to eliminate the requirement for three coffins of cypress, lead and oak as well as the elevated bier for public viewing. He instead elected to be viewed in a simple, zinc-lined wooden coffin at ground level. He will also be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. He said the changes are to reflect and emphasize the Roman pontiff's funeral is that of a shepherd and disciple of Christ, and not of a powerful man of this world.
None of those proceedings will begin, though, until the mourning bell at Saint Peter's Basilica is rung. For now, Catholics continue to pray.
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