Hamilton clergy in Rome mourn death of Pope Francis and say 'we must carry forward' his legacy

As thousands gather in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City on Saturday morning to bid farewell to Pope Francis, churches across Hamilton are holding masses and memorials to mark the passing of the spiritual leader whose papacy left a profound impression on local Catholics.

"We mourn, but we also hope," said Fr. Will Meehan, a Hamilton priest currently studying in Rome. "Pope Francis has been the Pope throughout my formation and ordination. His writings shaped my theological journey."

Meehan is among several members of the diocese who found themselves in Rome during this time, or who made plans after the Pope's death to travel there for the funeral.

Fr. Luis Inácio, associate pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Hamilton, had travelled to Rome for an unrelated canonization of Carlo Acutis, the Catholic Church's first millennial saint, when he learned of the Pope's passing. 

"It was unexpected, yet in a way, not," he said. "Life is but a breath. I found myself in prayer at Santa Marta, beside his body. It was a privilege to be there and to pray for him."

Inácio described the atmosphere in Rome as reverent and emotionally charged. "We are sad, but not without hope. Pope Francis was a witness to humility, to simplicity. Even in his final public moments, he appeared as a shepherd."

Hamilton is the second-largest English-speaking Catholic diocese in Canada and has deep ties to the broader church. 

According to the Diocese of Hamilton, the region serves over 620,000 Catholics across more than 120 parishes, with a clergy of nearly 170 priests and covers the counties of Brant, Bruce, Grey, Halton, Waterloo, Wellington, and four Townships in Dufferin County.

As of the 2021 Census, approximately 29 per cent of Hamilton's population identifies as Catholic, making it the largest single religious group in the city. 

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, one of Ontario's oldest, operates 57 schools and serves nearly 30,000 students. Established in 1855, it offers faith-based education across the region. 

Influence on the next generation of priests

Seminarian Matteo Villela, originally from Hamilton and currently studying Catholicism at the Royal English College in Spain, was among those who travelled to Rome for the canonization event. 

"Being in St. Peter's, surrounded by people from all over the world, you feel the universality of the church," he said. "It reminded me that whatever happens in the church affects us all."

Villela added that many young Catholics felt a deep connection to Pope Francis, who became pontiff in 2013. "He's the only Pope I remember," he said. "His legacy of personal connection and pastoral care will shape how many of us approach the priesthood."

"He was incredibly personable. People connected with him deeply. That ability to be present, to listen, to ask, 'What do you need?'—that's essential for the Church moving forward," Villela added. "I've seen it in how he related to newly married couples, for instance. That pastoral warmth is something we should all carry into ministry."

"On a practical level, our current seminary formation guidelines came under his papacy in 2015. The year I'm spending in Spain was made mandatory under those reforms," he said. 

Each of the three clergymen emphasized Hamilton's connection to the global Catholic community.

"Wherever I go, I represent my diocese," said Fr. Inácio. "Even on holiday, I am a priest from Hamilton."

Back in Canada, local churches have set up memorials, celebrated masses and invited parishioners to pray for the repose of Pope Francis' soul — in the week leading up to the funeral and continuing throughout the weekend.

Hopes for the next papacy 

The Diocese of Hamilton, while grieving, says it also stands ready for what comes next.

"We need to live the Gospel by promoting peace and charity," Father Meehan said. He also stressed the need for unity under the next pope. 

Fr. Inácio echoed that perspective, saying Pope Francis modeled a Church focused on "communion, participation, and mission." He added, "Reform is not about changing the Gospel, but about renewing how we live and preach it."

He reflected on the challenges facing the next pope—from global conflict to economic inequality—and said, "The next leader must speak with wisdom to today's problems. Pope Francis leaves a legacy we must carry forward."

"We entrust him to God's mercy," said Fr. Meehan. "And we pray for the Cardinals as they prepare to elect a new shepherd. I trust that the process will be filled with prayer, just as this time has been."

The mass for Pope Francis begins at 10 AM CET or 4 am ET. CBC special coverage starts one hour sooner, at 3 AM ET.

We're 'still in shock' Hamilton deacon says

Juan Carlos Veliz said he and his wife, Maritza, are "still in shock" following the Pope's death.

Veliz said his wife is a life-long Catholic, and she was the one who encouraged him to become more involved in the church after they moved to Hamilton from Guatemala. He now serves as a deacon at Our Lady of All Souls Roman Catholic Church on Barton Street West.

The couple had a chance to see the Pope in person in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican while on a pilgrimage to Rome last year. "You see the pictures and you hear people talking about it but when you get so close, like we did, it's a completely different feeling," Veliz told CBC Hamilton.

"It's something that you cannot describe really, like, how open he was to be with people, to be around them."

Veliz said he was about to leave for work when he first saw the news that the Pope had passed away. "It was unbelievable, I couldn't believe it at the beginning. I'm still sad, we're still in shock," he said.

"We knew it was coming but we weren't expecting it, especially after they tell you he's recovering, he's feeling better. Last night we were talking about him and were saying 'is it true?' We don't want to believe it."