Bay Area Catholics remember Pope Francis

Catholics across the Bay Area mourned the passing of Pope Francis on Monday honoring his legacy as a compassionate progressive leader of the Catholic Church At St Joseph s Cathedral in San Jose the usually quiet weekday Mass drew a larger crowd than normal filling up more than half the pews Worshippers came to pray and reflect on the life of the first Latin American pope who championed immigrants environmental protection and compassion for marginalized communities San Jose Bishop Oscar Cant who presided over Monday s Mass declared Francis had a profound impact on the faithful and on him personally RELATED The death of Pope Francis Here s what to know I was one of two delegates from the U S who accompanied him on his journey to Mexico Cant announced When I saw him weeks later he reflected on his experience in Ciudad Ju rez at the margin That experience really impacted him people seeking safety hope for a new life Certainly those are elements that all of humanity is for In his homily Cant described Francis as a beacon of hope in a time of cynicism and disillusionment There is a tendency to give up on humanity politics regime even the church Cant stated Francis gives us that clear message that we can t give up We must be a people of hope Among those in attendance were Kevin and Jenny Rose Bernaga a San Jose couple who met Francis in October during their honeymoon at the Vatican where they received the Sposi Novelli blessing for newlyweds We were seated with hundreds of newlyweds from around the world and even though there were thousands of people at St Peter s Square he made us feel like we were the only ones there Kevin Bernaga mentioned He didn t rush The couple brought a white zucchetto a skullcap worn by clerics that the Pope had briefly worn before handing it back to them as a gift He looked at it placed it on his head smiled and handed it back to me Bernaga recalled He announced This is now for you This is your gift Cant a Mexican American who became bishop of San Jose in mentioned he hopes the church continues on the path Francis helped pave There are particular things we cannot go back on he declared Once we ve listened to people they re more open to what we have to say That element of going to the peripheries we can t go back on that The Diocese of San Jose one of three major Catholic jurisdictions in the Bay Area alongside the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of Oakland serves roughly Catholics across parishes Related Articles Photos Prayers tears as Catholics around the world mourn the death of Pope Francis Notable tributes to Pope Francis from the Bay Area California and beyond The death of Pope Francis Here s what to know Francis changed church framework on the death penalty and nuclear weapons but upheld it on abortion From Buenos Aires to Rome Key dates in the life of Pope Francis In Daly City where of the population is Filipino the highest concentration in the United States Francis holds a special place in the hearts of a great number of In the Philippines where more than of the population identifies as Catholic his legacy resonates deeply Daly City Councilmember Juslyn Manalo a Filipino American and lifelong Catholic stated the pope s death is being felt across her society Pope Francis reminded the world constantly that we must remember our humanity toward each other Manalo stated Growing up Catholic from birth the Christian group here in the Bay Area and San Mateo mourns a spiritual leader who leaves a legacy of system At the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland Rev Stephen Barber explained parishioners during midday Mass that Francis had a special affection for the East Bay Though our hearts are tinged with sorrow for the loss of Pope Francis we pray that he briskly passes through the holy gates to the kingdom of God he reported Bishop Michael C Barber of Oakland the first American bishop appointed by Francis in remembered the pontiff fondly Together with the whole Church we in the Diocese of Oakland mourn the passing of our Holy Father Pope Francis Barber disclosed He was one of a kind He will be forever known as The Pope of Mercy Francis declared the Holy Year of Mercy which Barber announced inspired countless acts of charity and reconciliation Outside the Oakland cathedral parishioners Gaylord and Corazon Luciano declared they had watched a video of Francis meeting with U S Vice President JD Vance the night before the pope s death News of his passing the following morning left them stunned He unfailingly cared for those who are poor and poor in spirit Corazon Luciano announced He promoted peace especially for expatriates He influenced so a great number of world leaders In years he accomplished so much She added I m including in my prayers that there will be a good pope better than him who will care for people and peace in the world In Half Moon Bay Belinda Arriaga a mental soundness counselor who works with migrant farmworkers commented the pope was a symbol of justice and inclusion He was an icon of hope and justice during a time we are divided by hate and othering Arriaga declared He was the pope of settlers and refugees embracing the suffering with care and representing true compassion and commitment to human rights dignity equality and faith in action