Pope Francis’s death on Monday has triggered a period of mourning across the Catholic Church, including in Washington.
The pontiff died of a cerebral stroke that put him in a coma and led to irreversible heart failure at 7:35 a.m. local time at his residence, the Casa Santa Marta. The news hit the U.S. East Coast a few hours later.
The seat of the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, displayed a portrait of the pope near the church’s altar. The portrait was later moved to a side chapel. A special mass to commemorate the pontiff was held at 12:10 p.m., with another set to be held at 5:30 p.m.
Mourners can pick up prayer cards and a pamphlet of quotes from Pope Francis near the entrance.
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception has a special connection with the pontiff, having welcomed a pilgrimage from him in 2015. The building is the largest Catholic structure in North America.
At noon on Monday, the national shrine rang its bells 88 times, one for each year of Francis’s life. At the conclusion at 12:10 p.m., a special mass was held in the church crypt.
Monsignor Walter Rossi, the rector of the basilica, released a statement mourning Francis’s death.
“This morning, we join the world in sadness at the news of the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis,” he said. “We also join in the chorus of prayers for his eternal rest. In a particular way, we at Mary’s Shrine are saddened because we knew the Holy Father personally. As the first Pontiff from the Americas, the Holy Father himself came on pilgrimage to the Basilica in 2015 to canonize Fray Junípero Serra, marking the first canonization on United States soil. His visit left a lasting impact upon us at Mary’s Shrine, this city of Washington D.C., and this nation.”
An official with the basilica told the Washington Examiner that people laid flowers at the plaque marking the spot he had preached from during his visit in 2015.
Black drapes were unfurled near the front doors hours after his death.
POPE FRANCIS, LEADER OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, DEAD AT 88
Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown announced special commemorative masses for Francis at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. An evening prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.
“We have now entered a period of 9 days, the Novendiales, during which we will mourn the loss of this great man who encouraged us to embrace those on the margins,” Rev. Kevin Gillespie said in a statement.