ELMHURST — On the eve of Pope Francis’ funeral — when the world would bid a final farewell to the beloved pontiff — Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated a Vigil Mass of Repose for the “People’s Pope.”

The bilingual Mass, celebrated in English and Spanish, took place at St. Bartholomew Church in Elmhurst on the evening of April 25, giving the Diocese of Brooklyn faithful an opportunity to remember the Holy Father.

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A Mass of Repose is a special type of Mass in the Catholic Church, where those in attendance are asked to pray for the soul of the deceased that God will grant the person eternal rest.

Throughout his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis frequently asked the faithful around the world to pray for him, and on this night, prayer was uppermost on the minds of those in church.

Priscilla Lozano, a parishioner of St. Bartholomew, said she came to pay her respects. 

“I think it’s good for us to come together as a community to pray for him,” she said.

When asked what Pope Francis meant to her, she replied that his empathy set an example for her and others. 

“He was such a kind person,” she said. “He showed kindness to everyone. His kindness was really very touching.”

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While the Mass took place at St. Bartholomew, those in attendance came from all over the diocese. 

“This evening was an incredible night — a night just filled with prayer, hope, gratitude, with love,” Bishop Brennan said after the Mass. “This church here at St. Bartholomew was filled to capacity. People really, really prayed.

“Coming outside after the Mass, people expressed their love, their prayers. It was a beautiful moment.”

Bishop Brennan noted that while the world would later be watching the pope’s funeral, “the whole world is here,” conveying that the diocese is diverse and has people of many different races and nationalities in its churches.

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Kresentia Silaban, an Indonesian-American, is a parishioner of St. Helen Church in Howard Beach. She recalled the pride her community felt when the Pontiff visited Indonesia in 2024. 

“We were all so excited,” she said.

While most of the people in church never had the opportunity to see Pope Francis in person, Martin Heanue did. 

Heanue, whose son, Father Christopher Heanue, is rector of the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights, recalled how he and his wife Kathleen received a blessing from the Holy Father in Rome for their 50th wedding anniversary.

The couple was standing in a big crowd with Father Heanue when the pope was walking by greeting people. Father Heanue called out to the pope and pointed out his parents. The pontiff stopped and blessed them.

“It was a big shock, a big surprise to get that close (to him),” Martin said, adding that he was struck by the pope’s warmth.

In his homily, Bishop Brennan described the aftermath of the pope’s death as a time of both sadness and hope. 

“We come united in a sense of loss for Pope Francis. We mourn his passing,” he said. “But we also express our deep, deep hope in the resurrection of Jesus.”

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For Bishop Brennan, two memories of the Holy Father stand out. One took place on March 22, 2020, at the start of the pandemic, when the world had, for all intents and purposes, shut down. 

Pope Francis appeared alone in St. Peter’s Square and delivered an Urbi et Orbi blessing for the world.

“It was a dark, cloudy, rainy, gloomy evening in St. Peter’s Square. It was eerie,” Bishop Brennan said, recalling that in the face of darkness and uncertainty, Pope Francis gave the world a sense of hope. 

“He was the strong, steady hand of leadership, but also tenderness,” Bishop Brennan said, adding that the memory of that moment, “will stay with me always.”

The second moment also took place in St. Peter’s Square, on Easter Sunday of this year — a day before the pope passed away. 

“There he was, riding around in the popemobile!” he said. “He was a pilgrim of hope until the end.”

Silaban, who called the pope an “inspiration,” said that following his lead is the best way to celebrate his legacy. 

“He wanted us to be pilgrims of hope,” she said. “And if you’re a pilgrim of hope, you love and serve everyone around you.”