Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh holds special Mass in remembrance of Pope Francis
The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh held a special Mass on Monday in remembrance of Pope Francis following his death early on this Easter Monday.
Bishop David Zubik presided over the Mass at St. Paul Cathedral in the city's Oakland neighborhood. Pope Francis was remembered for his hospitality, gentle nature and mercy.
"Just a man of joy, a man of strength and someone who, of course, as a priest, he's someone who we really look to and are inspired by and love," said Rev. Kris Stubna, pastor and rector of Saint Paul Cathedral Parish.
Bishop Zubik invited people from other faiths, including seven rabbis.
"It's important for me to say when things happen that impact all of us, that we're really there for each other, especially when it is somebody of such high caliber," said Rabbi Hindy Finman of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh.
The Vatican announced Pope Francis, 88, died around 7:30 a.m. local time, one day after he briefly appeared in St. Peter's Square to bless worshippers on Easter Sunday.
Bishop Zubik encouraged all pastors across the Diocese of Pittsburgh to celebrate Masses for the late pope.
"We are experiencing this loss as a family," said Bishop Zubik. "And as a family would, we need to come together, to be together, and to pray together."
Bishop Zubik remembers Pope Francis
Bishop Zubik met with and had personal interactions with Pope Francis over the years. He said he last saw the pope in person on Thanksgiving Day of 2019 during a bishops conference in Rome.
"On the occasions I had the privilege of being in the presence of the Holy Father during visits to the Vatican, what struck me most was not just the dignity of his office, but the warmth of his heart," Bishop Zubik said in a statement. "His attention to each person, his gentle spirit, and his genuine kindness left a lasting impression on me and so many others. He was a shepherd who smelled like his sheep-and the world is better for it."
KDKA Morning Anchors David Highfield and Erica Mokay spoke with Bishop Zubik early Monday morning.
"I think today, most important of all, we need to be able to pray for him," Bishop Zubik said. "It's our tradition as Catholics to be able to pray for those who have passed, and we do so with a great deal of gratitude in our hearts for all that he did as such a beautiful pastor of the [Catholic] Church throughout the world."
Pittsburgh-area leaders have offered tributes as well. Gov. Josh Shapiro said, "He leaves a legacy of being a fighter for the defenseless — a teaching we should all learn from."
Tributes praising Pope Francis' leadership and devotion quickly began to pour in from around the world.
Pope Francis had experienced a number of health issues in recent years. He spent five weeks in the hospital in February and March 2025 with bronchitis that developed into pneumonia in both lungs. He marked the 12th anniversary of his papacy from his hospital room.
