ALLENTOWN, Pa. — It was Easter Sunday, one day before Pope Francis went to be with the angels.
The Most Rev. Alfred A. Schlert, bishop of the Allentown Diocese, watched with the world as the ailing 88-year-old pontiff blessed 50,000 well-wishers from a balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square in Rome.
Then, while still recovering from a dangerous bout with bilateral pneumonia and other health issues, Francis rode in the popemobile and was met with cheers of “Viva il papa,” or “Long live the Pope.”
“Even though he was supposed to have two months’ bedrest, there was no way to keep Pope Francis away from his people. He knew that’s where the shepherd should be, with his people."The Most Rev. Alfred A. Schlert
On Monday, Schlert recalled the moment while presiding over a special Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis at Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena.
Pope Francis, who had served as spiritual leader of the Catholic Church since 2013, died early Monday at the age of 88 following a lengthy illness.
“It was beautiful to see him greet the people, even though he was physically sick,” Schlert said, standing at the pulpit beside a gold stand upon which a framed photograph of Pope Francis rested.
“Even though he was supposed to have two months’ bedrest, there was no way to keep Pope Francis away from his people. He knew that’s where the shepherd should be, with his people. It brought him joy.”
'I had to be here today'
The pews at St. Catharine’s were filled with folks experiencing joy and sadness.
Joy at the inclusion in which the pope steered the Church in issues such as LGBTQ+, as well as in directing the masses to care for the poor and the infirm.
But also a veil of sadness at the holy father’s passing after 12 years leading the Catholic Church.
"He will be missed."Sue Garber of Allentown
“I had to be here today because I loved Pope Francis,” Sue Garber of Allentown said.
“He cared so much for people, especially those who didn’t have much and those who were oppressed — those on the margins.
“He will be missed.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Monday directed that all flags in the commonwealth be flown at half-staff in memory of the fallen pontiff.
The College of Cardinals will decide the funeral date for Francis after nine days of mourning the Pope’s death. His burial will take place between the fourth and sixth day of his death.
Until then, the pope’s body will lie in repose at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, of Argentina, Francis was the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to become pope.
He also was the first to take his papal name from St. Francis of Assisi, to honor the saint who espoused the values of caring for the poor and advocating for peace.
'Wonderful impact on the church'
Nicholas Sears teaches English and Theology at Notre Dame High School in Easton. He said the moment he learned of the special Mass for Francis on Monday morning, he knew he needed to attend.
Francis "had a wonderful impact on the Church,” Sears said. “And the bishop’s homily was perfect — that doctors could not stop him from speaking" to the people on Easter Sunday.
Celebrating the life of Pope Francis carried extra significance for Schlert, as the pope himself appointed him bishop in June 2017.
“I met him a number of times,” Schlert said. “He was a very personable and intent listener. He made you feel very much at home.
“The bishops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey went to Rome to visit with the pope right before COVID. He was more interested in hearing from us than speaking to us.
"He gave us three hours with him in Vatican City. He was very well briefed on the concerns and needs here in our area.
“That just goes to show he was a person intent on learning what was important to others and how they were feeling.”
'His legacy'
The central theme of Francis’s teachings never wavered: Reach out to those most marginalized.
Pope Francis "cared most for them,” Schlert said. “He believed it was his duty to reach out to them, to be the shepherd of the flock.”
Schlert smiled upon hearing a heartwarming story that occurred when Pope Francis visited Philadelphia in 2015 for the World Meeting of Families.
A little girl was among the hundreds of thousands who descended upon the Ben Franklin Parkway to hear the pope. As she enjoyed a cherry Slurpee, it began to drip onto her T-shirt with an image of the pontiff.
The child then pulled the shirt up to her mouth and appeared to be licking up the droplets.
As her mother scolded her, the child said, “I’m not licking it up, mommy. I’m giving the pope a kiss.”
“That story speaks to his connection with the masses,” Schlert said. “I would say that connection is really going to be his legacy.”
