SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The faithful community is joining others around the world in prayer as they mourn the loss of Pope Francis.
A special memorial mass dedicated to the late pontiff was held Tuesday afternoon in Scranton.
During this time of mourning, parishioners and local students came together in prayer for Pope Francis.
St. Peter's Cathedral was packed on Tuesday afternoon. Bishop Joseph Bambera presided over the noon mass.
Parishioners throughout the Diocese of Scranton were all in attendance.
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During the homily, Bishop Bambera reflected on Pope Francis' last 12 years of service, and the last time the world saw him, on Easter Sunday.
28/22 News spoke with a man from Jessup who says he prays for Pope Francis on a daily basis. He attended mass on Tuesday wearing a Papa Francesco shirt, one he bought just hours after meeting the pope two years ago during a trip to Italy.
"I purposefully bought this shirt, and I said, 'I'm always going to remember the day when I looked into the eyes of our pope.' He has done so much and he's been so active, and I thought one of the hallmarks of Pope Francis, and it speaks to how I was able to see him from about 10 feet away and look into his eyes and smile, is the fact that he loved to be with people," said Larry Spegar from Jessup.
There are many tributes the church has taken to pay its respects to the late pope, including a picture of Pope Francis on the right side of the altar. Many parishioners have taken a moment to kneel by it to pray.
There is also purple bunting hanging outside St. Peter's Cathedral.
