Like time stopped: memorial mass in Montreal pays tribute to Pope Francis [Video]

Hours after waking to watch Pope Francis being laid to rest, several dozen faithful paid a final tribute to the late pontiff at a memorial mass at Montreal’s Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral on Saturday.

The downtown cathedral — a one-quarter replica of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome — has been at the centre of events in Montreal marking the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday. A larger crowd gathered on Tuesday evening for a requiem mass.

Christian Lépine, the Archbishop of Montreal, presided over the Saturday mass. Like many, he was up at the crack of dawn to watch the procession on television and has been at the heart of local events.

“It’s like time stopped for the whole week,” Lépine said at the conclusion of the sombre event.

“Pope Francis was at the forefront of many things,” Lépine said. “We give the people the space where they can mourn together and pray together …