Maritimers reflect on Pope Francis as they wait for his replacement

As Maritimers mourn the death of the Pope, some are looking ahead to what they hope to see from his successor.

The mourning of Pope Francis continues in the Vatican City and in Halifax.

As Maritimers reflect on his legacy, many are eager to determine who will replace him.

In Vatican City, mourners are lining up to bid farewell to Pope Francis, who lies in state in an open casket at St. Peter’s Basilica.

In Halifax, Catholics are also reflecting on the legacy of the 88-year-old who was the first pope from the Americas.

Noreen Smith calls Pope Francis “my Pope,” as Pope Francis was at the helm when she converted to Catholicism in 2018 as an adult in her 50’s.

“He noticed people on the edges,” said Smith, who is the outreach and operations for pastoral work at Saint Benedict’s Catholic Church in Clayton Park.

Smith said she most admired Pope Francis for his mercy.

“The emphasis that he put on caring for others. That word, mercy, has a lot of that all built into it,” said Smith.

Christopher Helland, a sociologist and professor at Dalhousie University, agrees with Smith’s description and calls Pope Francis someone who truly connected with the people.

“He was definitely the people’s pope,” said Helland. “He was a great theologian, he wasn’t seen as being just in the books or a bureaucrat, he was really a people’s person.”

Seen as a progressive voice, the Argentine-born Pope spent 12 years focussing on pressing contemporary issues like poverty, inequality and the environment.

“Often after a liberal Pope, or the Pope we seen in offices, there’s often a bit of a (conservative) pullback,” said Helland.

“This is the Holy Spirit’s church,” said Smith. “And He will find us the right leader next.”

While most Cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis, that doesn’t guarantee his vision will continue, said Helland.

“Nobody really knows how this will play out,” said Helland. “One of the things you have to remember with the Catholic church is that the changes that happen there takes generations. It’s a very massive institution and organization and very conservative in how it moves forward.”

Pope Francis’ funeral is set for Saturday.