Nova Scotia Catholics mourn death of Pope Francis

Catholics in Nova Scotia are in mourning following the passing of Pope Francis, who served as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church since 2013. Archbishop Brian Joseph Dunn of Halifax-Yarmouth shared that a larger-than-usual crowd gathered at Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica in Halifax to attend a lunchtime mass in honor of the late Pope. The community came together to pay their respects and offer prayers for the Holy Father.

Pope Francis had been battling illness in recent months, spending five weeks in the hospital earlier this year due to complications from bronchitis that developed into pneumonia. The Vatican announced his passing early Monday morning at the age of 88.

Father Donald MacGillivray, chaplain at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, reflected on Pope Francis’s legacy as a champion for the poor, marginalized, and forgotten. He recalled the Pope’s humble gesture of washing the feet of prisoners on Holy Thursday during his first Easter, which demonstrated his commitment to serving those on the margins of society.

Many students at St. Francis Xavier University saw Pope Francis as a beacon of hope and love, inspired by his actions and words. Father MacGillivray praised the Pope for his efforts to address past wrongs within the Catholic Church, including the issue of sexual abuse by clergy members. He acknowledged the painful process of reconciliation and healing that the Church has undergone under Pope Francis’s leadership.

Archbishop Dunn expressed his desire for the Catholic Church to build upon the legacy of Pope Francis and continue his work towards social justice and inclusivity. He emphasized the importance of following the Pope’s example of compassion and outreach to those in need.

As we remember Pope Francis and his impactful leadership, let us carry forward his message of love, acceptance, and service to others. May his legacy inspire us to create a more just and compassionate world.