Visitors have been paying tribute to Pope Francis at Westminster Cathedral following his death earlier this week.
The cathedral, the largest Roman Catholic church in England and Wales, will be hosting masses dedicated to the life of the late pope until 29 April.
Pope Francis, known for his kindness and humility, died aged 88 of a stroke on Easter Monday.
Christine Buckingham, 70, from Surrey, said: “He was a wonderful man and a shining light to everybody.
“He understood the suffering people go through worldwide, whether financially or otherwise – he just had that wonderful way of his.”
Born in Buenos Aires as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis was the first pontiff from the Americas and the first from the Southern Hemisphere.
He chose his papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi to emphasise his concern for the poor, which became a notable part of his 12-year papacy.
As head of the Catholic Church, he put his efforts into taking action towards climate change and giving women a more influential role in church proceedings.
He encouraged acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community and committed himself to interreligious dialogues, too.
Mary Lucy Wickham, 57, whose mother was particularly fond of the pope, said: “He was for people of all ages and all classes.
“He brought the church back to what it should be.”
Pope Francis was particularly known for his humility, famously rejecting the papal car to take the bus with other cardinals on the night he was elected.
Denise Cotton, 63, from Chesterfield said: “It was lovely that he had no airs and graces, he was just there for the people.”
Some, however, were more critical of the pope’s liberalism and would prefer someone who adheres more strictly to the doctrine.
Rosalind Dimmock, 74, from Tooting said: “He was a nice man, but I didn’t think he was a great pope. He was too indecisive.
“He was a people-pleaser and wanted to keep everyone happy, and that’s a nice thing to do, but as a pope, you should be definitive about doctrine.”
Those who are not of the catholic faith have praised Pope Francis for his positive impact during his papacy as well.
Hungarian Kata Faix, 45, who is an evangelist, said: “The pope practised what the church should practice.”
The candidates in line to be the next pope are more international than ever, with frontrunning Cardinals coming from Hungary, the Philippines and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Pope Francis appointed 80% of the College of Cardinals, who will vote in a conclave to decide the next head of the worldwide Catholic Church.
Christine King, 75, who particularly admired Pope Francis, said of the next pope: “I hope for him to carry on the way [Pope Francis] carried on, to bring the Catholic Church back into the 21st Century.”
Feature Image Credit: Pixabay
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