Local Catholic church gathers to honor, remember the late Pope Francis

Mid-Missourian residents gathered Friday for a memorial mass in honor of the late Pope Francis.

Members of the Catholic church gathered at St. Jospeh Cathedral in Jefferson City to honor and remember the late pope.

“Our Christ on earth has passed away and for us, as Catholics, it’s a really big deal," Mike Skain, an attendee of the service, said.

Skain said it is important to remember the legacy and character of the pope.

“He was a good man. He gets us out to evangelize, which I always think it a good thing. It kind of got us out of our comfort zone," he said.

Bishop Shawn McKnight, who was appointed by Pope Francis as the fifth Archbishop for Kansas City, Kansas, said the last time the two met was in January of 2020. Mcknight described the pope as a shepherd for human beings.

“He was just very attentive. That’s what I recall. And very solicitous for the needs of others, especially the most vulnerable among us," he said.

The bishop described the Catholic church as a family that gathers together during times of difficulty.

“Ss Catholics, we don’t rush through these rights of mourning. We take our time. We sit with them. And we gather and pull together as a big family," he said.

Bishop McKnight said the mission of Pope Francis would live on. “I look forward to carrying on the vision of Pope Francis. Whose dream for the church is that every parish, every community becomes an oasis.”

The Papal Conclave to select a new pope was expected to begin the first or second week of May.

McKnight would be installed as Archbishop May 27.