Bishop Solis celebrates Memorial Mass for Pope Francis at Cathedral of the Madeleine

IC photo/Marie Mischel

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Bishop Oscar A. Solis celebrates a memorial Mass on April 22 in the Cathedral of the Madeleine for Pope Francis, who died April 21.

SALT LAKE CITY — Catholic faithful gathered April 22 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine for a Mass Upon the News of the Death of a Pope, commemorating the death of Pope Francis, who died the day before.

A portrait of Pope Francis, draped in black, was placed in front of the altar. Bishop Oscar A Solis presided at the Mass. Numerous priests concelebrated, including Father John Evans, vicar general; Father Martin Diaz, rector of the cathedral; Father Langes Silva, judicial vicar; Father Kenneth Vialpando, vicar for clergy; and Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general emeritus.

Deacon John Kranz, chancellor; and Deacon Guillermo Mendez assisted. Members of the Utah Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree provided an honor guard. Among those attending were members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, diocesan staff, and several hundred of the laity.

In his welcoming remarks, Bishop Solis said, “We gather tonight in prayer together with millions of people around the world in loving remembrance of Pope Francis, the Vicar of Christ and successor of Peter, whom Catholics not only dearly loved, but the world also admired and honored.”

The bishop acknowledged that mourning a loved one is normal, but that prayer is the best expression of Catholics as disciples of Christ “who believe in God, who promised eternal life, rest, happiness and peace to those who remain faithful to him.”

The day before he died, Pope Francis celebrated the solemn feast of Easter Sunday “with such joy as a genuine pastor and faithful shepherd of Christ. He spent the last happy moments of his life with his flock under his care, with fidelity and zeal, carried out his responsibility as God’s appointed leader who was called to bring God’s love and tender mercy in the most human but holy way, with great joy and enthusiasm and with great sacrifice, as he was still recovering after 38 days in the hospital,” the bishop said.

Pope Francis’ life ended as he lived it, “as a pastor who embraced the virtues of an ‘alter Christus,’ another Christ, with dignity and great humility,” the bishop said. “He wished for a Church which is poor and for the poor; he criticized sharply what he called a globalization of indifference, an attitude that ignores people suffering on the margins of our society, and the throwaway culture that views the weak and vulnerable as disposable.”

The pope “promoted a Church of the peripheries, walking together toward one mission to bring the joy of the Gospel to the world in a most synodal manner,” Bishop Solis said. “A Church that goes out of herself to evangelize, makes our parishes field hospitals to provide mercy and compassion to the poor, the sick, the migrants and refugees, and to those on the margins of society.”

Pope Francis “tirelessly led the Church with courage, strength and much compassion,” Bishop Solis said, and “left us an incredible and inspiring legacy, not only to emulate but to imitate. We lift our hearts thankful for God’s blessings to our Church and to the world and [for] the life and ministry of our Holy Father, Pope Francis.”