Pope Francis memorial mass held at cathedral in Jefferson City
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Memorial mass was held for Pope Francis at the Cathedral of St. Joseph on Main St. in Jefferson City at noon on Friday.
“We know that time is perfect in the eyes of God, and it was the perfect time for him to join and leave his legacy behind,” church member Litz Main said.
The service, held on the eve of the Pope’s funeral in Vatican City, was led by Archbishop-designate Shawn McKnight along with priests from across the Diocese of Jefferson City.
“I look forward to carrying on the vision of Pope Francis,” the Rev. Shawn McKnight said. “His dream for the Church is that every parish, every community becomes an oasis where people on the long journey of life, who are tired, hungry, and thirsty both physically and spiritually, can find refuge.”
McKnight said he was in disbelief when he first heard the news of the pontiff's death early Monday morning.
"At first, when I read about it at 3 a.m. on social media, I didn’t think it was true," McKnight said. "I thought it was fake news, because we had just seen him on Easter Sunday delivering the Urbi et Orbi blessing in St. Peter’s Square.”
He last saw the pope in 2020 during a meeting between bishops and various departments of the Vatican.
"I met with Pope Francis in January 2020 just before COVID hit, and it was what we call an ad limina visit every five years or so, the bishops gather and meet with the Holy Father and all the departments in the Vatican."
Francis’ funeral will take place in St. Peter’s Square, before his body is taken to the basilica, on the other side of the river in central Rome, for burial.
After Saturday’s funeral, McKnight said that the Catholic Church will enter a traditional period of mourning and prayer that will last eight-to-nine days. Once that period ends, the process of selecting a new pope will begin.
“After the cardinals have gathered and openly discussed the needs of the church in a public fashion and listened to one another, then they go into the Sistine Chapel and the doors are locked,” McKnight said. “From that point on, it’s something of a mystery.”
Months ago, the Diocese of Jefferson City had already planned a pilgrimage to Rome. That group is scheduled to depart on May 5 and arrive the following day.
“We will be arriving May 6th, which could be the day the new Holy Father is elected and revealed or even the day after,” McKnight said. “So we’re hopeful we might be there in person to see our new pope.”
After that pilgrimage, McKnight will return to Rome at the end of June to receive the pallium, a special liturgical vestment symbolizing his role as an archbishop. It will be presented by the next pope.
“I feel as though I’m becoming a natural bridge between two pontificates,” he said.
In addition to a new pope, the Catholic Church in Jefferson City is also preparing for change closer to home. Earlier this month, Pope Francis appointed McKnight as the next leader of the Kansas City, Kansas Diocese.
"Bishop McKnight also follows the step of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. he is in alignment with his thinking and we know that he leaving behind also a legacy," Main said
Church members said they are excited to see what’s next and who McKnight will appoint.
People can also gather at the Cathedral of St. Joseph to watch the funeral of Pope Francis at 3 a.m. Saturday.
