Key Points
- Death Announcement: Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Monday morning of Easter (April 21, 2025) at the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican as stated by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber.
- London Events: The mourners who were made up of both local worshipers, foreign visitors, and persons of other religions thronged to the Westminster Cathedral in central London to show their respects.
- Services Conducted: Father Patrick van der Vorst officiated a service at the Westminster Cathedral in relation to the Pope’s “symbolic” death on Easter Monday. The Westminster Cathedral issued an agenda for nine consecutive Requiem Masses.
- Praises from Religious Leaders: Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster and the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales said he was “a voice proclaiming the innate dignity of every human being”. The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said he was “witty, lively, good to be with”.
- Public Praises: The mourners lauded the Pope for advocating throughout his life for the poor, global influence in different religions and his dedication to inter-religious reconciliation.
London (Extra London News) April 21, 2025 — Grief-stricken crowds gathered under the cavernous arches of Westminster Cathedral in central London on Monday to mourn the death of Pope Francis, who passed away earlier that morning at the age of 88. The sudden announcement of the pontiff’s death on Easter Monday—coming mere hours after a frail yet determined pope greeted thousands in St Peter’s Square in an open-air popemobile—sent shockwaves across the globe and prompted an immediate outpouring of sorrow in the British capital. At Westminster Cathedral, mourners filed solemnly past a specially arranged commemorative display featuring a portrait of the late pontiff framed by rows of flickering candles, with many dropping to their knees in quiet prayer.
Why Did Mourners Gather at Westminster Cathedral in London Following the Death of Pope Francis?
The outpouring of grief at Westminster Cathedral brought together not only lifelong British Catholics but also people from various Christian denominations, different faiths, and even those identifying as non-religious, united in their admiration for the Argentine pontiff.
As reported by PA Media journalists and covered by The Independent, Father Patrick van der Vorst led a poignant morning service inside the cathedral, highlighting the deep symbolism of the Pope dying on Easter Monday. Addressing the congregants, Father Patrick van der Vorst stated that Pope Francis “was always there to serve the poor”.
Outside the cathedral, public figures and ordinary citizens alike shared reflections on the historic and humble nature of Francis’s papacy. Barbara Keeley, a Labour peer and former frontbench Member of Parliament, spoke to the PA news agency about the geopolitical weight of his passing. As reported by The Independent, Barbara Keeley stated that
“During a time of war in the world, he was a voice for peace and supporting those who are suffering”.
Other attendees emphasized his wide-reaching appeal beyond conventional religious boundaries. Patrick Somerville, an 87-year-old resident from Westminster, highlighted the cross-cultural affection the Pope inspired, telling reporters: “He (Pope Francis) has had a worldwide impact on all leaders and all peoples. I spoke this morning to my newsagent who told me his mother, who is a Hindu, loved Pope Francis and I think that says it all. He brought love to the whole world in a humble way”.
Michael McBride, a 61-year-old visitor from Cyprus, praised the pontiff’s ecumenical dedication, stating that
“He did a very good job reconciling all the religions, whether they were Muslim or Christian,”
and adding that he was
“A good man trying to unite everyone”.
Georgette Presto, a 71-year-old mourner visiting from South Carolina, United States, remarked that Francis “was more accepting of humanity than the other popes,” noting, “I think he just cared about people because he came from the bottom”.
Furthermore, local Westminster churchgoers Patricia Wohlrab (88) and Sue Ball (77) shared memories of the Pope’s unwavering advocacy for the marginalized. As noted by The Independent, Ms Wohlrab, who lived in Rome for six decades and previously worked in the Vatican, recalled his personal dedication to the suffering, stating: “If you think of the terrible situation in Gaza, he phoned the Catholic parish every single evening to see how they were doing”. They added that his tireless advocacy “resonated with people from outside Catholicism and perhaps with people who were not religious at all”.
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What Did Catholic Leaders in the United Kingdom Say About Pope Francis?
Senior religious authorities across the United Kingdom issued formal tributes following the confirmation of the Pope’s death by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, from Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, delivered a profound statement addressing the loss of the pontiff. As detailed by The Independent, Cardinal Vincent Nichols stated:
“The death of Pope Francis brings great sadness to so many around the world, both within the Catholic Church and in societies in general. A voice proclaiming the innate dignity of every human being, especially those who are poor or marginalised, is now silent. The legacy he leaves is one we must seek to carry forward and strengthen”.
Reflecting on the theological foundation of Francis’s ministry, Cardinal Nichols added:
“Pope Francis was called to priesthood through his experience of the mercy and compassion of God. This remained the core of his ministry, as Priest, Bishop and Pontiff. Only in understanding the love and mercy of God towards each one of us can we fashion societies and communities that bear the mark of the ‘kingdom of God’”.
He concluded his tribute with a prayer for the pontiff’s passage:
“Now we pray for the repose of his soul, that he may know, in full measure, the merciful and loving embrace of the Father, of the one God to whom he gave his life in unstinting service. May he now rest in peace and rise in glory”.
Echoing these sentiments, the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, shared personal recollections of working alongside the Pope and lauded his human warmth. As reported by The Independent, Archbishop Stephen Cottrell stated: “Pope Francis was acutely aware of the divisions between our churches and how they stand in the way of seeing Jesus Christ more fully. I remember the powerful work the Pope did with the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland in promoting peacebuilding in South Sudan”.
Cottrell further remarked on the pontiff’s character:
“He was a listening Pope whose commitment to the principle and the process of synodality will be a permanent legacy to the Roman Catholic Church and to all of us. I remember, in the brief times I spent with him, how this holy man of God was also very human. He was witty, lively, good to be with, and the warmth of his personality and interest in others shone out from him. May he rest in peace and rise in glory”.
How Long Will Westminster Cathedral Observe Mourning Services for Pope Francis?
In response to the historic passing, Westminster Cathedral outlined an extensive liturgical schedule to accommodate the grieving public and honor the memory of the head of the Catholic Church.
According to official announcements released by Westminster Cathedral, Requiem Masses were scheduled across multiple days, with the cathedral keeping its doors open late into the evening during the initial days following the announcement. The cathedral administration noted that the community would observe a prolonged period of prayer, aligning with the broader nine-day mourning framework adopted globally by the Catholic Church leading up to the final funeral rites.
The cathedral’s schedule emphasized continuous prayer for the repose of Pope Francis’s soul, inviting local parishioners, pilgrims, and dignitaries to partake in memorial services, livestreamed requiems, and communal reflection as London joined the international Catholic community in bidding its final farewell to the leader who championed humility, interfaith dialogue, and the protection of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
