Parishes of the Newark Archdiocese remember Pope Francis (Photos)

The news that Pope Francis had died on April 21 was met with deep sadness, but also with a sense of profound gratitude for the gift of his person and pontificate. More than 200,000 mourners were present in Rome last Saturday for the pope’s funeral. In Newark, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., celebrated a Mass for the Holy Father at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart on April 22 before heading to Rome for the papal funeral and upcoming conclave.

In a statement earlier this week, Cardinal Tobin said that Pope Francis “served Christ in his Church with tireless devotion, joyful witness to the Gospel, and a deep love for each one of us. His tenderness, his courage, and his call to holiness have left an indelible mark on the life of the Church and on our own hearts.”

Parishes around the Archdiocese of Newark are also grieving the loss of the Holy Father and paying tribute to his memory. Last Saturday at noon, the bells of every parish in the archdiocese were rung twelve times, once for each year of his pontificate. Portraits of Pope Francis were also placed in the sanctuaries of many churches, which have hosted prayer services and celebrated Masses in his memory.

In a Facebook post after one service, Lacordaire Academy in Upper Montclair said that students had offered “prayers in gratitude for his papacy, devoted to proclaiming the Gospel message of love, compassion, unity, and inclusivity.”

Those sentiments of gratitude were echoed in many other schools and parishes as the life and legacy of Pope Francis continues to be remembered in liturgy and prayer.

Mass for Pope Francis at Lacordaire Academy, Upper Montclair

Mass for Pope Francis Pope Pius X Church

Mass for Pope Francis Most Holy Name in Garfield, NJ

You will find more photos of services around the Archdiocese of Newark here.

Visit the Archdiocese of Newark’s “In Memoriam” page for further tributes to Pope Francis, Jersey Catholic articles about his pontificate and the upcoming conclave, live coverage of Vatican events, and more.

Featured image: A Mass is celebrated for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis at St. Joseph of the Palisades Parish in West New York, NJ. (St. Joseph of the Palisades Parish)