‘Pray for me’: thousands mourn Pope Francis at St Patrick’s Cathedral

The bells of St Patrick’s Cathedral tolled on the afternoon of Monday 28 April as more than 2,500 people from across the Archdiocese of Melbourne gathered to mourn the passing of Pope Francis, 266th successor of St Peter, in a Solemn Pontifical Mass for the repose of his soul.

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli was principal celebrant for the Mass, joined by bishops and priests from across the Archdiocese, alongside members of religious congregations, the faithful and representatives of civic life.

Among the distinguished guests at the Mass were Governor of Victoria Prof the Hon Margaret Gardner, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Premier of Victoria the Hon Jacinta Allan, and Victorian Opposition Leader Mr Brad Batten. Members of federal and state parliaments, civic leaders including the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Nicholas Reece, and senior public servants were also present, as were faith leaders from the Greek Orthodox, Anglican, Coptic Orthodox and Uniting churches, the Sikh community, and representatives of the Victorian Council of Churches and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.

Mercy was perhaps his most frequently spoken word.

A spirit of prayerful gratitude, sorrow and hope filled the Cathedral, reflecting the life of a pope remembered for his humility, joy and proclamation of God’s boundless mercy.

Hymns such ‘Be Thou My Vision’ and ‘The Prayer of St Francis’ echoed Pope Francis’ own humble and selfless faith in God, while the Communion motet, ‘Come to Me’, gently invited mourners to rest in Christ’s promise of peace.

Prof Elizabeth Labone, CEO of the Victorian Catholic Education Authority, read from the Acts of the Apostles, and Ms Virginia Bourke, Pro-Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University (ACU), read from the Letter of St Paul to the Romans. The prayers of the faithful were offered by Mr Josh Lourensz, Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Victoria.

In his homily, Archbishop Comensoli reflected on Pope Francis’ example throughout his life and ministry, especially his steadfast commitment to proclaiming God’s mercy.

‘Mercy was perhaps his most frequently spoken word,’ Archbishop Comensoli observed of the late pontiff. ‘The mercy of God, in Christ Jesus, was what he proclaimed in as many ways as he could.’

Pope Francis knew of the need he had for God’s grace in his life—as should we all—and he had the humility to ask for it.

Describing Pope Francis as a ‘joyful evangeliser, father of the poor, servant to the stranger, accompanier of the imprisoned, friend of the migrant and refugee, and pope for peace,’ the Archbishop pointed out that these were not just titles but tangible aspects of his everyday ministry.

Archbishop Comensoli also recalled Pope Francis’ personal devotion to Mary, particularly the ancient icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani in the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome—the place where, in accordance with his wishes, Pope Francis’ mortal remains now rest.

‘Each time he would travel, and whenever there was a moment of significance, Pope Francis would go to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica,’ he said. ‘There he would pray. His prayer was for the people of the world, seeking our Blessed Mother’s intercession, desiring health for all in need: healing for the people, healing for the world.’

Archbishop Comensoli also reflected on the personal encounters many had with Pope Francis, noting a constantly repeated request the Pope made of those he met: ‘Pray for me.’

‘Each time I met Pope Francis, he would ask that I pray for him. This was a constant refrain, whether with an individual, a small group or a vast crowd,’ the Archbishop recalled. ‘It was not a throw-away line but sincerely requested. Pope Francis knew of the need he had for God’s grace in his life—as should we all—and he had the humility to ask for it, as he prayed for us.’

These were the words Pope Francis spoke when he first appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on the evening of his election, and again in his final public appearance from the same balcony: ‘Pray for me.’

At the end of the Mass, Archbishop Comensoli invited all to continue praying for Pope Francis with trust and gratitude.

His leadership not only speaks to the millions of Catholics around the world, but actually speaks to a much broader population.

Speaking after the Mass, Mr Marles—who was there representing the Prime Minister—said there is great sadness with the death Pope Francis, but today’s memorial was a moment to reflect on the significance of his life.

‘Pope Francis is one of the most consequential people of this century,’ he said.

‘The way in which he promoted a listening church, the way in which he focused on the poor, on the rights of working people, on the intergenerational justice associated with the issue of climate change, represents a leadership which not only speaks to the millions of Catholics around the world, but actually speaks to a much broader population.’

Mr Marles said Pope Francis understood our region, as exemplified by his recent visit to Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste.

‘I was in fact in Timor Leste just before he arrived and got to see some of the enormous excitement for that community as they were about to welcome Pope Francis. It was a real moment where you could see the impact that this man had on such a large number of people in such a deep way.’

Other mourners, many visibly moved, had nothing but praise for the late Pope Francis.

Raquel said that it felt good to say a final goodbye alongside other worshippers.

‘I think that Pope Francis was really a wonderful mirror to how we would like our lives to be,’ she said. ‘He was a man who lived as he said; he didn’t tell us to do one thing while he did another. He was so giving in how he reached out to the poor and his love of the earth, constantly reminding us that we need to take care of her. I think that those are things that will stay with me.’

Lee and Michael, fellow parishioners at St Anthony’s in Alphington, both talked about the courage of the late Pope. Tearing up, Lee described him as ‘a great human being’ and someone who ‘showed great leadership in difficult times’.

Michael admired the way Pope Francis could be provocative when it was required, such as ‘in the way he took us back to Scripture,’ bringing the Church ‘right back to the basics’.

‘He was a leader who was a bit like the Queen, very apolitical, didn’t sway one way or another,’ Lee added. ‘He called out things as they happened … in a very respectful way.’

I feel the word just lost a father.

Patrick, who came to the Cathedral with his young son, said the Mass had helped him come to terms with the Pope’s death. ‘We know that he suffered a lot with illness, but I was quite hopeful when he was discharged from hospital. I thought he was going to pull through,’ he said.

Patrick thought it was significant the Pope was able to give a final blessing on Easter Sunday. ‘That was quite touching for me, and I think he was quite prepared for the passing and that was why he was able to give that last blessing.’

While saddened by the loss of the Pope, Patrick’s friend Emanuel, said he felt the timing of his death was divine providence. ‘Pope Francis is someone that I respect a lot; very simple, humble. I feel the word just lost a father.’