Seattle-area Catholics reflect on the death — and life — of Pope Francis

As Catholics across the globe mourn the passing of Pope Francis, Seattle-area parishes are preparing to honor the pontificate's life.

Francis, the first Latin-American and Jesuit pope, died on Monday at the age of 88. The cause of death was identified as a stroke, followed by a coma, and "cardiocirculatory collapse," according to the Vatican.

On Easter Sunday, Francis made a brief appearance to bless onlookers in St. Peter's Square, but he did not deliver Easter Mass. Pope Francis was previously hospitalized for five weeks, beginning in February of this year, but returned to Vatican City in March.

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In a statement published Monday morning, the Rev. Michael G. Ryan of St. James Cathedral said he was "deeply saddened" to learn of the death of Pope Francis.

"From the first moment when he came out on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica on March 13, 2013, dressed simply in a white cassock, and bowed down, asking the people to bless him, we knew this was a different kind of Pope," Ryan wrote.

But Seattle-area Catholics and admirers of the pope will have to wait to formally pay their respects and say goodbye.

Pope Francis died at the beginning of the Easter Octave, the eight-day period of celebration that begins on Easter Sunday. According to guidelines shared by the Archdiocese of Seattle, masses for the dead are not allowed during this period.

But during a mass held at St. James earlier this morning, the Rev. Gary Lazzeroni acknowledged the pope's passing.

"We also gather with hearts that are heavy of the news of the death of Pope Francis," Lazzeroni told worshipers. "A man who lived the resurrection for his whole life."

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The front entrance of the cathedral now displays black and white bunting around the exterior doors of the church, which will stay up until Pope Francis's funeral Mass is held in Rome. Yellow and white bunting will go up to celebrate the election of a new pope.

St. James will host a special Mass for Pope Francis on Monday, April 28, at noon.

The impact of Francis's death is being felt at Catholic institutions across the state as well.

Ellen Maccarone, vice president for mission integration at Gonzaga University, which was founded by an Italian Jesuit, said Pope Francis's progressive stances on social issues resonated with young people, and he inspired many to try to make the world a better place.

"They really saw him as a role model," Maccarone said. "[His death is] going to be hard for young people who struggle finding hope in anything right now."

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In the fall of 2022, Maccarone was able to journey on a pilgrimage to the Vatican with the university's board of trustees and other staff members. She joined thousands of people for a general audience with Pope Francis, and can still remember the "joy" she felt in his presence and his message that day: "that you should treat Jesus like a friend," Maccarone remembered.

So many are worried about being formal when they pray, she recalled Pope Francis telling those gathered.

"And he was like, 'No, you just say ciao. In everyone's language, we could understand when he went, 'No, no, ciao.' Everyone was chuckling," Maccarone said.

In that moment, Pope Francis was modeling warmth, humor, and a hallmark of his papacy, approachability, Maccarone said.

"He was modeling for all of us that Jesus is approachable," she said. "The pope should be approachable."