Ottawa reacts to passing of Pope Francis

Tributes flow in Ottawa for Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88. CTV’s Katelyn Wilson reports.

The Catholic community in Ottawa is mourning the passing of Pope Francis.

Francis’s death was announced Monday morning, hours after greeting the faithful on Easter Sunday, blessing thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Francis was 88.

The Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall issued a statement Monday afternoon.

“The Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall joins Catholics around the world in mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88,” the statement says.

“Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, served as the 266th pope and was the first from the Americas. Throughout his 12 years of papal ministry, he inspired the faithful through his humility, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel, especially in service to the poor and marginalized. Pope Francis’s leadership transformed the Church, championing mercy, dialogue, and social justice. His final public appearance was on Easter Sunday, when he addressed the faithful from the loggia and enjoyed a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, blessing the many present.”

The Archdiocese says further details regarding local commemorations and opportunities for prayer will be communicated as they become available.

“Though there is grief in our farewell, we rejoice too in the hope of this Jubilee year and the great hope of the Resurrection. We thank the Lord for the service of his faithful servant, for the humility, the compassion, the courage, and the love,” a Facebook post said.

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe offered condolences on behalf of the City of Ottawa.

“He was a beloved global leader who dedicated his life to faith, compassion, and unity. His messages of peace and kindness resonated with people of all backgrounds, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations,” Sutcliffe said on social media. “On behalf of the City of Ottawa, I offer my sincere condolences to Catholics in our community and around the world. My thoughts are with everyone mourning his loss.”

Aa memorial to Pope Francis was placed in Notre Dame Cathedral on Sussex Drive Monday.

Many Catholics paid their respects and offered prayers for Pope Francis at local churches. For Dennis Girard, his legacy carries a powerful weight of inclusion and compassion.

“It was shocking. We are going to be in Rome in a few weeks, so we look forward in uniting with all Catholics to pray,” he said.

Pope Francis’s photo was front and centre at Monday’s mass at Saint Patrick Basilica in downtown Ottawa.

“We adopted more of an open door. We remind people that in fact one of our mottos is we have a place for you. Everyone is welcome and that was our inspiration from Pope Francis,” said rector Stephen Amesse.

A book of remembrance in memory of the late Pope Francis will be placed near the sanctuary of Saint Patrick Basilica, 220 Kent St., beginning Wednesday April 23 until Sunday April 27 for those who would like to offer their sympathy following the death of the Pope, the church says.

The Basilica is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

A Mass will be offered for the soul of Pope Francis at Saint Patrick Basilica on Saturday April 26 at 11:00 a.m.

The Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) issued a statement Monday morning calling on the community to unite in faith, hope, and love.

“Pope Francis’s legacy of compassion, humility, and service resonates deeply with our OCSB mission. His teachings on caring for our common home and fostering unity perfectly reflect our commitment to the Spiritual Theme: Open Doors, Build Bridges, Nourish New Beginnings,” said Director of Education Thomas D’Amico.

“In the coming days, our schools will host prayer services, providing spaces for reflection and support. I encourage our students, staff, and families to lean on each other and our faith during this time.”

The Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE), Ottawa’s French Catholic school board, said it learned of Francis’s passing with great sadness.

“The first Pope originally from the Americas, he made history with his humility, compassion and commitment to the most vulnerable. His message of love, peace and social justice has inspired millions of believers around the world,” the CECCE said in French.

Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Mark Carney and Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, both running for Ottawa-area ridings in the federal election, issued statements Monday.

“Through his teachings and actions, Pope Francis redefined the moral responsibilities of leadership in the 21st century,” said Carney. “In Laudato si’, his landmark encyclical, he gave voice to ‘the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor,’ reminding us that ecological degradation and social injustice and deeply intertwined and demand our shared, urgent leadership.

Poilievre said, “His humility, compassion, and steadfast faith had a profound impact on millions of Canadians and others around the world from every faith background.”

Both leaders referenced Francis’s visit to Canada in 2022, where he offered an historic apology for the Catholic Church’s role in Canada’s residential school system, recognizing the abuse and oppression inflicted upon Indigenous people. A papal apology on Canadian soil was one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action.

• RELATED: Pope says Indigenous people suffered genocide at residential schools

Roughly 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools over a century, and the Catholic Church ran about 60 per cent of the institutions. It is estimated that thousands of children died while attending residential schools.

Francis did not visit Ottawa during his papacy. The last pope to visit the Canadian capital was John Paul II in 1984.

With files from The Canadian Press