By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Montrealers woke Monday morning to the news of Pope Francis’s death. His passing came in the wake of Easter celebrations. The Vatican announced that the 88-year old Pontiff had succumbed to a stroke and heart failure. Born in Argentina, he was the first Jesuit Pope and the first non-European Pope since Gregory III in 731 AD. As the Church enters its traditional nine days of mourning, his impact on the city’s faithful reflects the transformative nature of his papacy.

“We are together in sadness and pain,” Most Reverend Christian Lépine, Archbishop of Montreal, said to the community. He noted the lessons learned from Pope Francis in unity by way of encounter. “The differences that we can have between each other are not an obstacle — they are a blessing. Let us be together in solidarity and the building of peace and building a civilization of encounter.”

“This pontificate was marked by a profound moment of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples,” Right Reverend Bishop William T. McGrattan, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, told The Suburban. “The Pope’s sorrow and apology were deeply genuine, reflecting his commitment to healing and understanding. He was focused on empowering the church through the gifts of baptism, emphasizing that the church exists for its people — a unity through communion to be shared with all communities.”

He explained further, “Pope Francis consistently spoke of the unity among Canadian bishops, even as the world and the church experienced division. His message was clear: the Catholic Church in Canada represents a symbol of hope and unity, especially as we approach a national election seeking paths of reconciliation.We are experiencing a jubilee of hope. Pope Francis believed profoundly in the resurrection, and even in his passing, he gives us a sign of faith and hope — a testament to the enduring power of spiritual renewal.”

The last papal duty performed by Pope Francis was the traditional Easter blessing at St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, less than 24-hours before his death.

West Islander Marybel Mayorga, CCCB Director of Communications, shared her emotional reflections with The Suburban. “Nearly five years ago, I had the grace of meeting Pope Francis for the first time. This past January, during the Jubilee for Communicators, I met him again,” Mayorga said. “Pope Francis was a tireless bridge-builder, a pastor who walked with the poor, embraced the forgotten, and reminded us all of the radical tenderness of God. His voice echoed mercy, his gaze welcomed the excluded, and his words stirred hearts toward peace, justice, and love.”

For Montreal’s Catholic community, Francis’s papacy brought significant changes. His reforms included greater roles for women in Church leadership and a more compassionate approach to contemporary social issues. Local parishes embraced his message of environmental responsibility and social justice.

His historic 2022 visit to Quebec drew thousands of Montrealers who traveled to Quebec City to participate in the occasion. The visit highlighted his commitment to reconciliation and dialogue.

In Montreal, where numerous Catholic parishes serve a diverse community, the news has sparked both grief and reflection. Mayorga’s call to action resonates with many: “May we honour his legacy by choosing compassion, listening more deeply, and building the culture of encounter he so often spoke of.”

Local religious leaders are organizing memorial services across the greater Montreal area, providing opportunities for the faithful to come together and honour the legacy of a pope who revolutionized many aspects of Catholic practice while maintaining core doctrinal traditions.

For Montreal’s Catholic community, this moment represents the end of an era. The Pope’s passing, which came shortly after he had simplified rites for the funeral of a Holy Father in November, marks a time of reflection. As the College of Cardinals prepares to select a new pope, local Catholics reflect on how Francis’s reforms transformed their understanding of faith.

“Requiescat in pace, Pope Francis. Thank you for showing us the face of Christ,” Mayorga concluded, expressing a sentiment shared by many in Montreal’s Catholic community. n