Boston Catholics joined tens of millions around the globe in praying for Pope Francis this Sunday as his well being took one other flip for the more serious.
“Hopefully he can recover soon,” stated parishioner Ritchie DeYoung after 11:30 a.m. mass at Cathedral of the Holy Cross within the South Finish. … “We join here as a community, and hopefully all our prayers will come together and reach the pope.”
The Vatican stated Sunday that Pope Francis was in “critical condition” and blood checks confirmed preliminary, gentle kidney failure. The pope has not has any extra respiratory crises since Saturday night time, the Vatican stated, and stays alert and responsive and attended mass.
Within the Archdiocese of Boston, Father Kevin O’Leary stated many individuals have been calling in with prayers for the pope.
“They’re disturbed by it, and they don’t want to see him suffer either,” stated O’Leary, standing among the many congregation getting espresso and donuts after mass Sunday.
O’Leary, amongst many within the crowd, praised Pope Francis’s work and management.
“This priest said to me, the people will sanctify you, your relationship with the people in the parish,” stated O’Leary. “And I think he really heard the voices of people over years, and he really took it to heart and responded to people where they were, and that was important to him.”
The church-goers remarked on what the pope has meant for the Catholic church over the past decade.
“I think that he has pulled a broader community together around Jesus and around Christianity and the church,” stated Juan Duran, standing together with his younger son. “So it is very sad, because he meant a change and a broader understanding and a broader community, and his love was everywhere.”
One parishioner stated the potential lack of Pope Francis may imply a major change for the church.
“Francis really is a breath of fresh air,” stated retired trainer John Hickey. “In terms of being progressive and more liberal and opening up people’s hearts and minds to the 21st century. So it’ll be very interesting to see when his time comes, which I hope it’s not yet, what the next chapter will be.”
Sunday morning’s mass on the Cathedral of the Holy Cross featured prayers for the pope throughout the service.
“I think that should be done in every church to send prayers to God,” stated Duran. “God knows more than us, if he needs him right now, but I hope he lets us enjoy his wisdom and his mentality and his guidance a little bit more.”
