Chicago Catholics mourn "Papa Francisco" in Pilsen, at Holy Name as pope's death comes at fraught moment
Chicago Catholics gathered at Easter Monday masses to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and mourn the loss of the holy leader they called "Papa Francisco."
Church bells rang across the city in memory of the Holy Father as the faithful awoke on Pasquetta, or "Little Easter," to the news.
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope who was originally from Argentina, was known for his humble style and concern for the poor. He was at times controversial, critiquing capitalism and climate change, and angering the conservative wing of the church. He believed the church should be a refuge for everyone, and invited migrants, the poor, prisoners and outcasts to meet with him more often than powerful leaders and presidents during his time.
His demand that bishops be merciful and charitable to their flocks and his welcoming stance on migrants and immigration resonated in communities like Pilsen and Little Village in Chicago, where immigration issues are especially important.
Father Charles Dahm, former pastor of St. Pius V Parish in Pilsen, said his community is now closely watching the impending conclave, hoping whoever is chosen as the new pontiff will follow Pope Francis' lead in issues like immigration and the poor.
"He wanted the church to be known as a church of mercy, openness and welcoming, and here in an immigrant community we need to hear that message," Fr. Dahm said.
He also said his community hopes the next pope will also continue the legacy of listening to the faithful in how they see the church and the world, just as Pope Francis did.
Visitors pray rosary, attend requiem mass at Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines hosted a bilingual requiem mass for Pope Francis Monday evening, led by Rev. Esquiel Sanchez. A holy hour began at 6 p.m., with the requiem mass at the Chapel of St. Joseph at the shrine following at 7 p.m.
Pope Francis was known for praying the rosary as one of his favorite ways to talk to God, and so in the pope's honor on Monday, people at the shrine reflected during the holy hour as Pope Francis once did.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the site of one of the largest annual pilgrimages by Roman Catholics, attracting hundreds of thousands of the faithful each year for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, honoring the Virgin Mary.
In the wake of the pope's death, it was a place of solace for many. They came to say prayers and honor a holy man who came from the same part of the world they do.
"For his well-being, you know, going up to heaven and everything," said mourner Fabiola Malagon. "It's hard losing somebody."
Rev. Sanchez said Pope Francis' compassion for humanity helped him forge strong bonds with his flock.
"He reached out to anybody who felt like they didn't have a home in the Catholic Church," he said. "He was strong, very strong, with the clergy. Everyone remembers. He was kind of rough on the padres, rough on the bishops, but he does that for the purpose of softening up, insofar as being more welcoming with people who are at different moments of their life, in terms of accepting their faith."
Rev. Sanchez was watching the pope's last public appearance on Easter.
"We were watching his Papal Mass. He came out on the balcony. And he's a pastor, that's why he wanted to come out. He really wanted to give the last blessing. He wanted to give his last blessing, and it sounds like that now in retrospect," Sanchez said.
For the requiem mass, a casket was placed inside the Chapel of St. Joseph to represent Pope Francis — someone most of the people in the congregation had never met, but to whom they felt a deep connection.
"Pope Francis was actually the first Pope that I actually knew of," said Jose Perez.
Perez said that was why he made a priority to be at the requiem mass Monday night.
"Frankly, my faith has been growing like since about two or three years ago, and so Pope Francis is really one of those people that like instilled hope with everyone, especially like our community," said Perez.
Pope Francis was a pope of whom many in the Hispanic community were fond, since he was born in Argentina. He spent 12 years in the papacy, and made it his mission to change the perception of the Catholic Church around the world.
"Just like everybody else, you're proud of the person who has been chosen for you that resembles you," said Father Sanchez.
Sanchez, like many, called the late Bishop of Rome the People's Pope. Many appreciated how Pope Francis aimed to be an ordinary person — he took the bus, dined with the homeless, and had a welcoming stance on migrants.
"He was very strong with the clergy," Sanchez said. "Everyone remembers he was pretty rough on the padres, rough on the bishops, but he does that for the purpose of softening up, insofar as being welcoming with people who are at different moments of their life in terms of the acceptance of their faith."
"I think he just really did a good job at bringing everyone together, especially around this time when, you know, not a lot of people are really close," added Perez.
Perez said for the community at Our Lady of Guadalupe the last 12 years, they have felt a deep connection to the pope — and it may be one they won't feel again.
"Let's be realistic here — we're not really going to see that for a very long time," Perez said, "and for us to be able to have that opportunity is probably something that's just — it's once in my lifetime, basically."
The mass Monday night was the only one scheduled at Our Lady of Guadalupe this week.
Earlier in the day on top of what remained of Easter flowers at the shrine, people dropped off memorial bouquets for Pope Francis.
CBS News Chicago spoke to a few who reflected on the impact of Pope Francis on their lives, and on the Catholic Church.
"Great person, humanitarian," said Nelson Ruiz. "He helped a lot of people out in the world, and let me tell you — he's going to be missed."
Pope Francis was remembered as someone who stood up for immigrants, the poor, the disenfranchised, and who embraced young people and welcomed all into the Catholic Church. He was the first pope from South America.
"He didn't care who you were, what nationality, if you were poor, if you were rich — he didn't care what you were. You know, he didn't see your defects, you know?" said Priscilla Rodriguez. "He sees you as a child of God."
At Holy Name Cathedral on Monday, a picture of Pope Francis was placed at the altar and pastors leading mass shared words about what the Holy Father meant to the church, and his legacy.
Associate Pastor Fr. Andy Matijevic said he was incredibly sad to learn of the pope's passing; as a young pastor, he had hoped to meet the Pope Francis later this fall in Rome.
"I hope we continue to put the gospel into action by serving others, by not building walls but building bridges, by being people of encounter and inclusion and of hope. The world, as you know, is in a very dark place and the light of God, the light of peace reigns in each of us as disciples, and the pope should bring that out in each of us," Father Matijevic said.
"This morning I was devastated," said parishioner Nieva Mahta. "May he rest in peace with God."
What happens next after Pope Francis' death?
Though Pope Francis has requested some changes in how he will be remembered, there will be plenty of ritual and ceremony in the coming days as nearly 1 billion people worldwide honor his life.
First there will be nine days of mourning and a period of transition for the Vatican. The College of Cardinals will temporarily take over the rule of the church and the pope's funeral will be held within six days in St. Peter's Square.
Pope Francis requested to be buried outside the Vatican at one of his favorite churches, the first pope in a century to choose to do so.
Then, two to three weeks after the funeral, the College of Cardinals will hold a conclave in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope. Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich is one of the voting cardinals who will attend that conclave to pick the church's next leader.
On the day of voting, the chapel is sealed off and the cardinals are locked inside until a pope is elected. Two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope, and if no one receives that majority another round of voting takes place.
There is no set time for the conclave. Pope Francis was elected in 2013 in 24 hours, but one 13th century conclave took three years.
