‘The weight of the world’s sorrows’: Adelaide Archbishop remembers meetings with Pope Francis
Remembering close meetings or sightings from afar, Adelaide locals have shared their special memories of Pope Francis.
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“He was truly a wonderful, wonderful man,” Cosimo Cutri said, remembering Pope Francis at Sunday’s special memorial mass in Adelaide.
While on holiday in Rome some time ago, Mr Cutri saw the late Pope, and said even from afar the pontiff had made his mark.
Mr Cutri was one of “nearly a thousand” people that attended a special mass at St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Adelaide on Sunday, mourning the death of Pope Francis. It comes as mourners were set to gather at St Peter’s Square in Rome for a mass later on Sunday to honour the Pope on the second day of the Vatican’s official mourning period.
Back in Adelaide, the pews were stacked tightly and many were forced to stand, some even spilling out onto Wakefield St just to her the service.
Archbishop Patrick O’Regan led the service, reminiscing to the mass about his four meetings with Pope Francis.
After the service, the archbishop told the tale of his first meeting with the former pontiff, at “baby bishop school”.
“There was 120 of us there, and it’s a little formulaic at the beginning, it starts off really slowly, reading this text that obviously someone prepared for him, and then he just pushes it aside and speaks from the heart,” he said.
The archbishop said there was something special about when Pope Francis spoke from the heart.
“His English was never that flash, he couldn’t properly explain in English what he wanted, but that didn’t matter, he spoke the language of love and I think that’s what people responded to,” he said.
Bringing his one-year-old son Sanea to the service, Sali Thra said he remembered when he was a part of his church choir while living in Sri Lanka in 2015.
Mr Thra said he stood and watched as Pope Francis entered the church and he witnessed just how “tremendous” he was.
“We were able to have a chat with him during the meet up, and I was so lucky to be able to meet him,” he said.
“It was a tremendous memory for me, he was tremendous, and personally I came to the service to pay my respect and say a proper goodbye to him.
“He is a part of a very, very close memory for me.”
Another attendee of the mass, Chris Debrincat said he was pleasantly surprised at the turnout.
“Nearly a thousand people were there, it was quite busy out the back, every seat was filled,” he said.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, aged 88, just weeks after recovering from pneumonia.
“Even in his final days, we’re told that he thanked his nurse for bringing him back to the square, his beloved St Peter’s, one last time,” archbishop O’Regan said.
“’Thank you’, he said, ‘for bringing me back’. These, we are told, were his last words.”
Pope Francis’ successor will be elected in the coming weeks.
The pontiff’s funeral was held on Saturday.
SA mourners remember Pope’s life
Worshippers flocked to midday Mass at St Francis Xavier Cathedral on Tuesday in the wake of the death of Pope Francis but the atmosphere was one of inspiration and thanks rather than of grieving.
Lines formed to sign a condolence book next to a picture of the late Pope before Adelaide Archdiocese Vicar General Father Dean Marin commenced the service.
While a formal memorial service will be held by Archbishop Patrick O’Regan at the Cathedral on Sunday at 11am, this service was rich in thanks and praise for the life of Pope Francis.
It also reflected in the post-Easter message of faith in the Mass, referencing the resurrection of Jesus and the initial reaction of people as they met him.
Faithful at the service included Karen de Sousa, a member of the Catholic Women’s League who met Pope Francis in Rome in 2023.
“He was so inspirational — he was humble, so good to the poor, to the environment and for the work done by women,” she said.
“He always had time for us and always supported us.”
Joanna Maria Peretko from Urrbrae said the Pope carried the message of Jesus.
“It was one of hope, love and forgiveness — he will be missed,” she said.
Jozef Sotora of Henley Beach said he was sad at the news of the Pope’s death.
“He was a very good man, very humble and our whole community, not only the Catholic Church, will miss him,” he said. “He wanted people to join together for peace.”
Pauleen Howard was struck by the Pope’s inclusiveness of people “from all walks of life.”
“Everyone was welcome,” she said. “He was brave in his leadership, he was prepared to speak out on political issues and had great humanity, inclusiveness and compassion.”
Kristine Sledge, visiting from Dallas, Texas with husband Brad, said: “He did a lot of wonderful things for the people, he was very caring and a humble man.”
Anna Clarino, visiting from The Philippines to see her sister Patricia Barquin and family at their Croydon home, said: “He was truly a servant of God, he listened to the people.”
Prior to the service Fr Marin told The Advertiser while the Pope had been sick, the news of his death was still a shock.
“I am sure it is not just Catholics but people right around the world who will be mourning the loss but we are so grateful for the Pope he was,” Fr Marin said.
“He centred his life on Jesus Christ and was full of compassion for the poor, the needy, anyone marginalised.
“He didn’t just talk about it, he lived it.”
SA mourns the passing of the people’s Pope
Earlier this morning, flags were lowered to half mast in Victoria Square and across the state today as an outpouring of sadness over the death of Pope Francis on Easter morning – Rome time – reaches across the world.
Premier Peter Malinauskas made an announcement on behalf of the South Australian government about the 266th Pope dying aged 88, telling how he had “found hope in his teachings”.
“I extend our deepest condolences to South Australia’s Catholic community and people around the world mourning the loss of His Holiness Pope Francis,” he said.
“Pope Francis was a compassionate leader who championed faith, humility, and peace.
My thoughts are with South Australia’s Catholic community, and all those who found hope in his teachings. I gladly count myself as one of them.”
Mr Malinauskas grew up in a Catholic family and attended the Catholic Mercedes College in Springfield in his younger years.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide also announced that Archbishop Patrick O’Regan would preside over a memorial mass for Pope Francis at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral at 11am on Sunday, April 27.
A condolence book is now available in the Cathedral for people to sign for Pope Francis, as Archbishop O’Regan said the entire world was captivated by his “extraordinary pontificate marked by humility, simplicity, mercy and compassion”.
“He worked tirelessly for justice, for the good of the Church and the whole world,” he said.
“May Pope Francis rest in peace, and may his legacy of love, justice, and peace continue to inspire the faithful around the world.”
Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia added his own words of sadness after the first Latin American pontiff died from a stroke and cardiac arrest.
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Pope Francis. His compassion and leadership touched millions around the world,” he said.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all who mourn his passing, particularly our South Australian Catholic community.”
Many mourners attended mass and lit candles at St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Adelaide on Tuesday and a message was issued by Catholic Education South Australia.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis has died,” it said.
“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.”
Parishes and communities across the state have offered prayers and South Australians shared their own messages via social media posts, many talking about Pope Francis being known for his progressive approach and being “about forgiveness, kindness and love”.
Adelaide Archbishop O’Reagan spoke of Pope Francis as a crusader for social justice and a better world and that “his leadership and pastoral heart have left an indelible mark on the church and the world”.
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