LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Las Vegas parishioners celebrated and honored the lifetime of Pope Francis forward of his funeral Saturday. The Archdiocese of Las Vegas held a public memorial mass on Friday afternoon on the Guardian Angel Cathedral on the Las Vegas Strip.
After the church joined collectively in track, Archbishop George Leo Thomas spoke to the congregation, whose pews had been almost stuffed.
“It means so much to be with other people who are feeling the same thing about our loss that we were lucky enough to experience,” Amy Ayoub, who attended the mass, mentioned.
Ayoub is an everyday attendee at Guardian Angel Cathedral, however has not at all times been. She used to attend the church as a teen, and thanks Pope Francis for bringing her again.
“I had left the church for quite a while, and to have a Pope that was so accepting of everyone, who just preached love, kindness, respect… that always made me feel like it was a place I could be welcomed back into.”
Archbishop Thomas and different attendees additionally centered on applauding Pope Francis’ inclusivity and acceptance.
“It was the first time we had a connection, especially the Latino families, the Latino people,” mentioned Mercedes Hernandez, who additionally attended mass together with her daughter.
She continued, “What we need to do now is follow his steps. That’s what we need right now, with everything going on.”
Pope Francis’s funeral takes place tomorrow in Vatican Metropolis, the place greater than 200,000 individuals are anticipated to attend.
Viewers can watch the funeral on 8 Information Now. Protection will begin at 12:45 a.m.
