Bells toll, faithful gather in Toronto and Montreal to honour late Pope Francis

Several people gathered at the Mary, Queen of the World church in Montreal Tuesday to mourn the death of Pope Francis.

TORONTO — Catholic faithful gathered for multiple events in Toronto and Montreal to commemorate the late Pope Francis on Tuesday, a day the Archbishop of Toronto described as one of sadness but also thanks for a pontiff dedicated to building bridges and offering compassion to marginalized groups.

Cardinal Frank Leo told solemn mourners who bowed their heads at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica to remember the many ways Francis served as the Church’s spiritual father and embodied Christian ideals.

“In many ways, Pope Francis pointed to Christ’s compassion for us in reaching out, especially to the sick, to the poor and those who are in prison, those who are suffering, those on the margins and those who are refugees,” Leo told the congregation, later noting that “pontiff” means “bridge,” which he said Francis embodied in a special way.

“Jesus is the bridge between heaven and earth, between the Father and us. But the Pope, in a special way, embodied that mission to build bridges among us, among peoples in the world.”

A framed portrait of Francis sat to the side of the altar alongside a bouquet including white, yellow and red roses and the flag of Vatican City.

Outside, the Vatican and Canadian flags flew at half mast and church bells rang just before noon as people trickled into the downtown English Gothic-style building to pay respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff.

Among them was 72-year-old Decio Raposo who called the Argentine “a great Pope.”

“He was a good person. He came to represent God on earth and God bless his soul,” Raposo said. “It’s sad to see him go.”

Another service later Tuesday drew a crowd to the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral in Montreal, where Archbishop Christian Lepine presided over an evening requiem mass and shared a message of God’s love and reminder that “we’re not alone.”

“One of the gifts of Pope Francis is he was an incarnation of the value of mercy,” said Lepine. “He wanted to be a channel for God’s mercy. He wanted to be an instrument of God’s mercy.”

The Vatican announced Monday that Francis had died of a stroke and heart failure at age 88. The funeral will be held Saturday in St. Peter’s Square.

Francis was lying in state Tuesday in a private viewing for Vatican residents and the papal household. The Vatican says his body will be transferred Wednesday to St. Peter’s Basilica, where he will lie in state until Friday.

After the noon service in Toronto, Leo hosted a press conference where he recalled past meetings in which the Pope would ask about Canada, displayed concern for current issues and asked frank questions.

Leo lauded Francis for church reforms that he said included efforts to combat abuse, strengthen financial transparency, and promote unity among Christians as well as deeper relations with Judaism, Islam and other faiths.

“Here in Canada, his visit in the summer of 2022 and his heartfelt apology for the abuses in residential schools marked a historic step toward ongoing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, a commitment that resonates deeply in our country, from coast to coast to coast,” he said.

Leo, among the last group of cardinals Francis elevated into the role back in December, and one of five cardinals from Canada, also spoke of his personal impression of Francis. He described a man with a great sense of humour who was humble and “extremely sensitive to the needs of others.”

“I was blessed to have known him and have spoken with him... so many times over the years, and he revealed a deep humanity, a sensitivity of heart, and I think, a role model for us.”

Back in Montreal, the associate director of the youth ministry office for the Catholic Church in that city found special significance in celebrating Pope Francis at a cathedral that replicates the distinctive features of St. Peter’s in Rome.

“Most of us cannot make it to Rome in 24 hours. So right now, I think we’re giving a chance to all the people in Montreal to gather here to pray for the Holy Father,” Holly Eugenio said before an evening service at the ornate church, where multiple photos of Francis were positioned.

Eugenio called the Pope a good friend to young people and said this time of mourning is tempered by a celebration of his life.

“I think there’s a deep sadness, but also a sense of hope for what’s to come.”

By Maan Alhmidi and Cassandra Szklarski

With files from Sidhartha Banerjee in Montreal, and The Associated Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 22, 2025.