A sombre silence fell over the crowded pews of St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in downtown Toronto this afternoon, as Cardinal Francis Leo joined with faithful from across the archdiocese to pray for the soul of Pope Francis. 

The noon Mass for the Repose of the Soul of Pope Francis follows the death of the Pope on Monday morning after suffering a stroke and subsequent heart failure at the age of 88. 

While Pope Francis’ official funeral at St. Peter’s Square in Rome is set for April 26, following public viewings from April 23 to 25, parishioners from around the Archdiocese of Toronto were able to pay their respects early during today's service. 

As a certain stillness assumed the often joyous and lively atmosphere of St. Michael’s, Leo addressed the hushed congregation by sharing that the requiem Mass following the Catholic leader’s death is not solely a time of despair. 

“A service for the deceased always has a sombre tone of sadness as a member of our family is no longer here with us physically, but in Jesus' words, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled,’ ” he said. “Christ promises to prepare a place for you, and when it's time, Christ said I will come to take you to be with me, so where I am, you too will be.

“Who knew that just yesterday, the day after Easter, Jesus came to take Pope Francis and bring him back home to the dwelling of his Father's house.” 

Leo pointed congregants back toward the Mass’ Gospel of John 14, where Jesus promises to prepare a place for those who believe. He also spoke of St. Paul’s letter, seen in Romans 14:8 — “For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.” 

Speaking to the recency of Easter and the ongoing Jubilee year, Leo drew comparisons to Pope Francis’ passing to Christ’s light and resurrection, a truth so often proclaimed by Francis during his life. 

“We began Mass at Easter when the church was dark before we lit the light of Christ. When someone we care about dies, isn't it true that we might find ourselves in such darkness?” he asked during his homily. “What do you do in darkness but look for the light of Christ? Pope Francis had a unique mission on Earth in transmitting that light of Christ, so now we celebrate for the repose of his soul, a reflection upon how he shared that mission with us and the world.” 

As some shed tears in quiet reflection, Leo explained further the four unique roles that Pope Francis encapsulated during his time as the head of the Catholic Church: Holy Father of the Church family, Supreme Pontiff, Vicar of Christ and the Chief Shepherd. 

Looking back on his life, he referenced Pope Francis’ "Style of God," three words the Holy Father used when describing the Lord Jesus that Leo says he believes embody Francis’ own leadership across his earthly ministry for the last 12 years. 

“Closeness, compassion and tenderness. Pope Francis embodied the closeness of God, particularly when he came to our country to be close to us and to the Indigenous peoples. He showed the compassion of God in reaching out especially to the sick, poor, imprisoned and those suffering on the margins. Finally, he led with the tenderness of God — Francis embodied Christ’s will to win others over to God and to the Kingdom,” he said. 

“Jesus embodied these attributes of God's style, and Pope Francis reminded us as a model by teaching us how to do these in our day. We give thanks to God for the gift that Pope Francis has been to the Church, and we pray for him that the Lord opens wide the gates of Heaven and welcomes him home in the house of the Father,” Leo concluded. 

Following Communion, the Archbishop of Toronto once again thanked the many priests, cathedral staff, volunteers and St. Michael’s Choir for their timely service in producing a requiem Mass on short notice. He also thanked those in attendance, many of whom remained after Mass in silent prayer or to offer their private condolences. 

While the sombre tone of the service remained following the recessional, Leo’s reminder of Pope Francis’ lifelong devotion to his people, as well as his emotional call to prayer for his soul, provided restored faith as the Catholic Church moves forward. 

Stephen Campbell, a parishioner at St. Michael’s, was one of many attendees who felt so. 

“ The Mass was just beautiful. The words (Leo) had for the Pope and his value to the Church were fantastic. He’s explained where he has gone, which is back where he was meant to go. This was not about an ending, but about a continuation,” he said in the basilica’s courtyard. 

Evening vespers for the Repose of the Soul of Pope Francis, presided over by Cardinal Leo, will take place tonight at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, beginning at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.