Archbishop of Toronto remembers Pope Francis, prepares to help select new leader

Officials at the Vatican are providing more information about the death of Pope Francis on Sunday, saying he passed away peacefully and did not suffer.

Around the world today, people were preparing for the Pope’s funeral and the process of choosing a new pontiff for the Roman Catholic Church.

With the body of Pope Francis placed in a simple wooden coffin in the chapel of his residence, cardinals of the church were meeting to plan his funeral.

In this country, Canadians were honouring Pope Francis.

“The Pope in a special way embodied that mission, to build bridges among us, among people in the world,” said Cardinal Frank Leo, Archbishop of Toronto.

Cardinal Leo added that Pope Francis was an inspiration.

“He always assured us, he assured me, courage, go forward and I’m praying for you with a big smile. It was always like that.”

As the Pope who issued an apology to Canada’s Indigenous people on behalf of the Church, Cardinal Leo told reporters Pope Francis followed events in the country closely.

“He always asked, he was very much concerned about what was happening in Canada. He was concerned and he knew the issues and we were able to speak frankly, and he asked questions. Truly caring person,” said Cardinal Leo.

In Rome, Vatican officials shared details of the Pope’s last hours.

Before giving his Easter blessing from the balcony Sunday, Pope Francis said to his nurse, “Do you think I can do this?”

Afterwards, and after visiting St Peter’s Square, he said to the nurse, “thank you for taking me back to the square.”

The officials say he started feeling unwell the next morning before slipping into a coma and dying of heart failure brought on by a stroke, but said, “Those who were near him say he didn’t suffer.”

As the mourning continues, the Vatican plans three days of lying in state for the Pope at the Vatican starting tomorrow, leading up to his funeral Saturday.

Cardinal Leo prepares to leave for Rome and the responsibility of choosing a new leader for the world’s Catholics.

“It falls, the onus, the responsibility on the cardinals to elect a new head shepherd, and this is a spiritual thing. We do it in prayer, we do it in discernment, opening up to God and having the Lord inspire us,” the Cardinal said.