PITTSBURGH — Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik invited the community to join a Mass for Pope Francis Monday evening.
Related coverage: Pittsburgh-area religious leaders react to death of Pope Francis
“We are experiencing this loss as a family,” Zubik said. “And as a family would, we need to come together, to be together, and to pray together.”
Those who gathered at St. Paul Cathedral on North Dithridge Street in Oakland used words like dignity, leadership and mercy to describe Pope Francis.
“I think that his legacy clearly is focused on one word: mercy,” Bishop David Zubik said.
The pope suffered a stroke and passed hours after he had celebrated Easter. Zubick says while Pope Francis’s passing was anticipated, following serious health complications, the announcement of his passing still came as a shock.
As many mourned the loss, the bishop called on faith leaders across the region to gather and to reflect during the evning mass.
In attendance was Hindy Finman, a Jewish Rabbi and Senior Director of Jewish Life for the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh.
“When there is a loss in leadership it’s not just an isolated incident it really does impact us worldwide,” she said.
Finman told Channel 11 it’s important for the Jewish community to stand with their brothers and sisters.
Zubick, who knew the pope personally, explained that Pope Francis had that effect on people from all walks of life.
“He had that very special gift to make sure that everybody… you felt like you were the most important person in the world,” he said.
Zubick tasked everyone in attendance at the mass to do as the pope would do and to live out his legacy by showing mercy to all.
“Everything that the Pope did in his personal relationships, his outreach to world leaders was all focused on mercy,” Zubick said. “Not only did he preach it, he lived it.”
In addition to the Mass, Zubik has encouraged all pastors across the Diocese to celebrate masses for the repose of the soul of Francis and to include special intentions in the Prayer of the Faithful throughout the coming days.
Additional memorial opportunities will be shared on the Diocese website in the coming days.
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