Catholics around Australia are coming to terms with the death of Pope Francis. It is expected a requiem mass will be held in memory of the Pontiff.
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00:00The Archbishop of Brisbane, Mark Coleridge, has said that he was deeply saddened to hear
00:06the news of Pope Francis' passing yesterday.
00:09He says that it really did come as quite a surprise and he says not only was the pontiff
00:14a gift to the church, he really was a gift to the rest of the world.
00:18Now we're here at St Stephen's Cathedral of Brisbane and all throughout the morning
00:22we've seen Catholics and mourners trickle into the church to pay their respects for
00:27Pope Francis and really mourn the loss.
00:30There was a mass held here at 8am of which the Archbishop delivered an incredible delivery
00:35and really spoke about the legacy of Pope Francis' life.
00:39Now he also spoke with the ABC, the Archbishop, and really reflected on his relationship and
00:44time with Pope Francis.
00:46He first met him back in 2019 and he says that his entire legacy has come as quite a surprise
00:53and that was something that really struck out to him from really the first moment of
00:57his election.
00:58It was a surprise to so many in the Catholic community.
01:01Even his first greeting on that balcony in St Peter's, that really was a bit of a surprise
01:05where he greeted everyone with a simple buenas noches which translates to good evening.
01:10And often with Popes you expect sort of this elevated speech but really he was quite a simple
01:15man and led a really simple legacy about all the work that he really wanted to complete.
01:20Now the Archbishop has also mentioned that as their relationship grew throughout the years
01:25their correspondence did as well and what he remembers most about Pope Francis was perhaps
01:30the brotherhood that he really encouraged amongst the bishops and archbishops.
01:35He says that there really was this level of equality and he often corresponded and addressed
01:41the Pope as a holy father as well as dear brother.
01:45So really an endearing term.
01:46Now speaking to so many Catholics that were outside of the church this morning they really
01:51have said that they feel Pope Francis was someone they resonated with the most and that
01:55he really was a Pope for the people.
01:57Well I've actually seen the Pope, papal audiences three times.
02:02He is probably the Pope that I have resonated with the most, a little bit emotional.
02:11He was a Pope of the people.
02:14He always believed in poor and marginalised and I just felt such a connection with this
02:20Pope.
02:21And of course sentiments that are being shared right across the community.
02:24We've already heard from the Premier David Christopher who has said in a statement he feels that
02:29Pope Francis really was a voice for the voiceless.
02:32Now in line with the nine day mourning period the cathedral here in Brisbane will be open
02:37to the public for prayers as well as reflection.
02:40There will also be a mass requiem, a requiem mass that will be held as well but those details
02:45have yet to be released but certainly so many in the community continuing to mourn the loss
02:50and really just reflecting on the legacy of Pope Francis.