Catholic Ottawa communities mourn loss of Pope Francis [Video]

Some Ottawans who arrived at church for Easter mass on Monday morning still hadn’t heard the news, said Father Stephen Amesse, rector of Saint Patrick Basilica in Centretown.

Pope Francis, who served in the position for 12 years, passed away Monday morning at the age of 88. Francis’ funeral will be held on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square.

“It was very unexpected,” Amesse said. “He was so visible yesterday, you know?”

‘If I think of anything about Pope Francis, it’s his message of welcome and that, I hope, will be a long legacy for the church as well,’ Father Stephen Amesse says. (Arthur White-Crummey/CBC)

The day before was Easter Sunday, and Francis gave the traditional blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome after recovering from double pneumonia.

“It’s a great tribute to him that he died working,” Amesse said.

In Ottawa, Amesse prepared to handle parishioners who may not have heard the news. A photo of Francis was set on a table, …