Pinoys in New York express grief over Pope Francis' passing

NEW YORK — A special Mass was held at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, New York for the repose of the soul of the late Pope Francis.

The Mass was attended by various religious groups and diplomats, including Consul General Senen Mangalile of the Philippine Consulate in New York.

The Mass was presided over by New York's Timothy Cardinal Dolan before his departure for the Vatican to attend Pope Francis' funeral and the papal conclave.

Pope Francis visited New York in 2015. Currently on display at the altar of Saint Patrick's Cathedral are his photo and the chair he used during a prayer service he led there.

In his brief homily, Cardinal Dolan expressed gratitude to the Pope, saying that even in his final moments, he continued to think of others:

"We praise God for the gift that Pope Francis was to all of us—a gift to be long savored. We're grateful to God for what he taught us by how he lived and how he died. Comfortable—comfortable enough with us, his family—to let us see his weakness, his fragility, his stumbling, in a wheelchair, with his oxygen tube... confident enough to let us see his struggle. No wonder—no wonder we sing in the Easter season: Glory to God in the highest. No surprise that we chant 'hallelujah' at the top of our lungs. No wonder we gather under the light of Christ, so evident in the Paschal candle—gratitude. Now, believe me, I could preach a lot longer, but Pope Francis always complained about priests preaching too long. No wonder he was so popular. You could never meet him without him asking, 'Please pray for me.' And that we do, this high noon in America's parish church," Cardinal Dolan said.

Henry Layug, who had visited St. Peter's Cathedral, said he was deeply saddened upon learning of the Pope's passing.

"I was really sad. Those who got to go to the Vatican and saw Pope Francis in the Philippines were fortunate. I never got to see him in person, but I heard so many good things about him. Everyone looked up to him—his kindness, the hope he gave just by being simple. That's what I admire most about Pope Francis," Layug said.

Another devotee, Mrs. Reynoso, was devastated and could not go to work after hearing the news.

"It was 5:30 in the news when I heard it. I was shocked, teary-eyed. That was before I went to work. I was supposed to go, but the news made me very sad," she said.

For her part, KC Ocampo shared that what stood out the most was the Pope's humility and simplicity.

"I think—like I said—he was the people's Pope. He was more relatable, which is why I think more people felt a closer connection to him," Ocampo said.

Ed Ramos also shared his experience with GMA Integrated News when he saw the Pope in Rome last year.

"He was different from all the others. I saw him when we went to the Vatican last year. He had a special charisma. You'd get goosebumps when you saw him. His presence was overwhelming—as if all your sins were forgiven just by seeing him. It was like going to confession. My whole family and I were heartbroken when we heard the news of his passing," Ramos said.

Meanwhile, tourists from around the world continued to visit the Cathedral to light candles and offer prayers for the late Pope.

Various memorabilia of Pope Francis were also being sold outside the church. — VDV, GMA Integrated News