While Miles gather in the Plaza de San Pedro in the city of the Vatican on Saturday morning to say goodbye to Pope Francis, Hamilton churches have masses and monuments to commemorate the death of the spiritual leader whose papacy left a deep impression in local Catholics.
“We cry, but we also expect,” said p. Will Meehan, a Hamilton priest who currently studies in Rome. “Pope Francis has been the Pope throughout my formation and ordination. His writings shaped my theological journey.”
Meehan is among several members of the diocese who found themselves in Rome during this time, or that made plans after the death of the Pope to travel there for the funeral.
Fr. Luis Inacio, an associated pastor in the parish of St. Joseph in Hamilton, had traveled to Rome for a non -related canonization of Carlo Acutis, the first Millennial Holy of the Catholic Church, when he learned of the death of the Pope.
“It was unexpected, but in a way, no,” he said. “Life is nothing more than a breath. I found myself in prayer in Santa Marta, next to his body. It was a privilege to be there and pray for him.”
Inacio described the atmosphere in Rome as reverently and emotionally charged. “We are sad, but not without hope. Pope Francis witnessed humility, simplicity. Even in his Final public momentsHe appeared as a shepherd. “
Hamilton is the second largest Catholic -speaking Diocese in Canada and has deep links with the broadest church.
According to the Diocese of Hamilton, The region serves More than 620,000 Catholics in more than 120 parishes, with a clergy of almost 170 priests and covers the counties of Brant, Bruce, Gray, Halton, Waterloo, Wellington and four municipalities in Dufferin County.
From the 2021 census, approximately 29 percent of the population of Hamilton identifies as a Catholic, which makes it the Largest individual religious group in the city.
Influence in the next generation of priests
The seminarian Matteo Villela, originally from Hamilton and who was currently studying Catholicism at the Royal English College in Spain, was one of those who traveled to Rome for the canonization event.
“Being in San Pedro, surrounded by people around the world, you feel the universality of the Church,” he said. “He reminded me that whatever happens in the church affects us all.”
Villela added that many young Catholics felt a deep connection with Pope Francis, who became a pontiff in 2013. “He is the only Pope I remember,” he said. “His legacy of personal connection and pastoral care will shape how many of us approach the priesthood.”
“It was incredibly pleasant. People connected with him deeply. That ability to be present, listen, ask: ‘What do you need?’, That is essential for the church in the future,” Villela added. “I have seen it in how it relates to newly married couples, for example. That pastoral warmth is something that we should all take to the ministry.”
“On a practical level, our current seminar guidelines were under their papacy in 2015. The year spending in Spain became mandatory under those reforms,” he said.
Each of the three clergy emphasized Hamilton’s connection with the global Catholic community.
“Wherever I go, I represent my diocese,” said p. Inacio. “Even on vacation, I am a priest of Hamilton.”
Wait for the next papacy
The Diocese of Hamilton, while afflicted, says it is also ready for what comes next.
“We need to live the gospel promoting peace and charity,” said Father Meehan. He also emphasized the need for unity under the next Pope.
Fr. Inacio echoed that perspective, saying that Pope Francis modeled a church focused on “communion, participation and mission.” He added: “The reform is not about changing the gospel, but about renewing how we live and preach.”
He reflected on the challenges facing the next Pope, from the global conflict to economic inequality, and said: “The next leader must speak wisdom today’s problems. Pope Francis leaves a legacy that we must carry out.”
“We trust God’s mercy,” said p. Meehan. “And we pray for the cardinals while preparing to choose a new shepherd. I trust that the process will be filled with prayer, as this moment has been.”
The mass for Pope Francis begins at 10 am CET or 4 am et. The special CBC coverage begins an hour earlier, at 3 am et.
We are still in shock ‘Hamilton Deacon
Juan Carlos Veliz said he and his wife, Maritza, “are still in a state of shock” after the death of the Pope.
Veliz said his wife is a Catholic of a lifetime, and she was the one who encouraged him to get more involved in the church after moving to Hamilton from Guatemala. It now serves as a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of All Souls in Barton Street West.
The couple had the opportunity to see the Pope in person in the Plaza de San Pedro in the Vatican while in a pilgrimage to Rome last year. “You see the photos and listen to people to talk about that, but when you approach as much, as we did, it is a completely different sensation,” Veliz told CBC Hamilton.
“It’s something you really can’t describe, as, how open it was to be with people, be close to them.”
Veliz said he was about to go to work when he first saw the news that the Pope had died. “It was incredible, I couldn’t believe it at first. I’m still sad, we’re still in shock,” he said.
