Miami faithful remember Pope Francis’ ‘Joy of the Gospel,’ universal welcome, ecumenism

By Priscilla Greear - Florida Catholic

MIAMI | When Bishop Peter Eaton was ordained a bishop to become the spiritual leader of the Episcopal Church in Southeast Florida in 2016, he drew inspiration for his new apostolate from his pastoral role model: Pope Francis.

Bishop Eaton reflected on Pope Francis’ clarity and focus on the essence of Christian discipleship. “By then he was already making a huge impact. In the beginning of my own life as a bishop 10 years ago, I was looking to Pope Francis for my own inspiration. My devotion to Our Lady Untier of Knots is inspired by him,” said Bishop Eaton, who wore a replica of Pope Francis’ pectoral cross. “I’ve read a lot of his books, particularly his sermons, which I’ve always found very important and helpful, so it’s a huge loss for me personally. I’ll miss his simplicity, his attention to those who need the Church’s attention and his constant reminders to all of us the cost and the grace and gift of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ."

Bishop Eaton joined principal celebrant Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Miami Auxiliary Bishop Enrique Delgado, Haitian Bishop Pierre-André Dumas and priests of the Miami Archdiocese for the Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis April 26, 2025 at St. Mary Cathedral in Miami. On the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday, he prayed alongside Catholics from across the archdiocese for the beloved pontiff who died on Easter Monday, April 21.

Bishop Eaton affirmed Pope Francis’ close connection to the Episcopal Church and his dear friendship with the former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, with whom he traveled to South Sudan in 2023 to work for peace. He admired his ecumenical and interfaith outreach and “extraordinary” leadership on care for creation. With his care for the marginalized in our throwaway world, “he was a powerful witness for everyone who takes the Gospel seriously,” said Bishop Eaton. “He had remarkable relations with non-Christians as well as Christians of other churches. So I wanted to be here to show my solidarity with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, but also bring with me the prayers of my own diocese and the respect and affection we hold for Pope Francis.”

Leonel Son also attended the liturgy with his family. A Guatemala native, Son is active in the Casa Manresa Ignatian Spirituality Center in Miami and strives to serve the poor, practice contemplation and maintain material detachment in the spirit of Pope Francis. He admired how the Pope has persevered joyfully in ministry despite health limitations. “He showed us the way by his own life, always getting close to the people, being hands on, always advocating for people in need. Even though he wasn’t 100 percent with his health it didn’t matter to him a lot.”

Son felt a special connection with the first Pope from South America. “He was able to understand the problems in Latin America. He loves things we love like soccer,” he said. “When I was looking at his life he was always in places in need where no one else helped - even if his life was endangered with gangs.”

Nahra Rodriguez, a parishioner at St. Rose of Lima Church in Miami Shores, prayed for world peace and for the Pope, during whose papacy she was confirmed in the Church in 2014. She expressed gratitude for his global leadership to promote peace between nations and people of diverse religions and ethnicities even in his final Easter message. Rodriguez appreciated his daily prayers for humanity in a world torn by wars, poverty and sickness. “He was a humble man who had visited so many countries around the world and prayed for world peace. He has spoken in the past that all of us should forgive and share our love for one another,” she said. “He respected other religions with dignity and honor.”

Marlene Telfort, a native of Haiti and St. Mary Cathedral member who read the second reading in Creole, said, “He really has love in his heart...He always wanted peace for every nation. He called (Holy Family Church in) Gaza every day- who would do that? He showed in his heart he really cares for human beings…When you look at him, you want to be close to the Lord.”

A parishioner of Nativity Church in Hollywood, Dianne Sepielli participated in the liturgy as a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Sepielli was inspired by Pope Francis to be a more giving person. “We don’t need to worry, the Lord takes care of us. He was just the epitome of that for people, that you’ve got to just take care of your brothers and sisters,” she said. “More people became a fan of this pope because of his connection and philosophy of love the sinner, not the sin.”

She recalled how he wanted to be with his flock on Easter. "I think it made him so happy and after that he was ready to be with the Lord.”

Manuel Pelaez, a lay minister at St. John XXIII Church in Miramar, was guided in his ministry by Pope Francis’ message on evangelization and prays the next pope will likewise continue to implement the conclusions of the Second Vatican Council. “St. John Paul II revived my faith, Pope Benedict solidified it, and with Pope Francis I discovered the mercy of God,” said Pelaez, who promoted the U.S. bishops’ first National Encounter of Pastoral Juvenil Hispana in 2006 . “I got very involved with his exhortation from the 2013 Evangelii Gaudium, the ‘Joy of the Gospel,’ that really exhorts us to go and outreach to those who really need God the most. He would call it the preferential option for the poor. Who are the poor? Those who do not know God, those who have not experienced the mercy and love of God.

Carlos Omeñaca said the Pope’s teachings encouraged him in his medical mission work in Santa Marta, Colombia, through the Order of Malta. The physician also served on an urgent care medical mission at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome during the 2016 Jubilee Year when the Pope visited there to pray after an international trip. “Pope Francisco had really touched us during his entire life,” he said. “He was humble, down to earth, talking to people, smiling, always on the side of the poor."

And while some labeled Pope Francis as progressive, he added that “Jesus Christ was crucified, not everyone liked him.”

His wife Tanya de la Rosa called Pope Francis “an example of humility for the whole world,” down to his single wooden coffin and simplified funeral.

“I find him an amazing inspiration and the music and everything was very emotional,” said de la Rosa. “The Church for him welcomed everyone. He was very friendly to the LGBTQ community, to immigrants, and I just hope that the new pope with continue in that path.”

Deacon Sergio Rodicio of St. Mary Cathedral is reminded by Pope Francis to always tend to the needs of the people in his ministry. “He was about mercy at his core,” he said. “We believe in eternal life and the resurrection, but this was in our hometown to have a farewell, being able to say goodbye in a special way.”