Catholics of Australia mourn the Pope

Catholics around Australia are coming to terms with the death of Pope Francis. It is expected a requiem mass will be held in memory of the Pontiff.

Transcript

00:00The Archbishop of Brisbane, Mark Coleridge, has said that he was deeply saddened to hear

00:06the news of Pope Francis' passing yesterday.

00:09He says that it really did come as quite a surprise and he says not only was the pontiff

00:14a gift to the church, he really was a gift to the rest of the world.

00:18Now we're here at St Stephen's Cathedral of Brisbane and all throughout the morning

00:22we've seen Catholics and mourners trickle into the church to pay their respects for

00:27Pope Francis and really mourn the loss.

00:30There was a mass held here at 8am of which the Archbishop delivered an incredible delivery

00:35and really spoke about the legacy of Pope Francis' life.

00:39Now he also spoke with the ABC, the Archbishop, and really reflected on his relationship and

00:44time with Pope Francis.

00:46He first met him back in 2019 and he says that his entire legacy has come as quite a surprise

00:53and that was something that really struck out to him from really the first moment of

00:57his election.

00:58It was a surprise to so many in the Catholic community.

01:01Even his first greeting on that balcony in St Peter's, that really was a bit of a surprise

01:05where he greeted everyone with a simple buenas noches which translates to good evening.

01:10And often with Popes you expect sort of this elevated speech but really he was quite a simple

01:15man and led a really simple legacy about all the work that he really wanted to complete.

01:20Now the Archbishop has also mentioned that as their relationship grew throughout the years

01:25their correspondence did as well and what he remembers most about Pope Francis was perhaps

01:30the brotherhood that he really encouraged amongst the bishops and archbishops.

01:35He says that there really was this level of equality and he often corresponded and addressed

01:41the Pope as a holy father as well as dear brother.

01:45So really an endearing term.

01:46Now speaking to so many Catholics that were outside of the church this morning they really

01:51have said that they feel Pope Francis was someone they resonated with the most and that

01:55he really was a Pope for the people.

01:57Well I've actually seen the Pope, papal audiences three times.

02:02He is probably the Pope that I have resonated with the most, a little bit emotional.

02:11He was a Pope of the people.

02:14He always believed in poor and marginalised and I just felt such a connection with this

02:20Pope.

02:21And of course sentiments that are being shared right across the community.

02:24We've already heard from the Premier David Christopher who has said in a statement he feels that

02:29Pope Francis really was a voice for the voiceless.

02:32Now in line with the nine day mourning period the cathedral here in Brisbane will be open

02:37to the public for prayers as well as reflection.

02:40There will also be a mass requiem, a requiem mass that will be held as well but those details

02:45have yet to be released but certainly so many in the community continuing to mourn the loss

02:50and really just reflecting on the legacy of Pope Francis.