People flock to Mayo Mass in memory of Pope Francis

The passing of Pope Francis struck a raw note for those in Mayo and further afield.

The Pontiff’s death on Easter Monday, following a spell of poor health, was particularly acutely felt in the village of Knock.

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People flocked in their droves to the Irish religious landmark on a rain-sodden August afternoon in 2018 to catch a glimpse of the iconic figure, with ponchos and traffic as early as 5.30am the order of the day.

Despite the inclement weather, beaming smiles were abound when the Pope took to the stage to address the 45,000 outside the Apparition Church.

Michael Mannion, a member of the Cairde Mhuire stewarding group who was on duty that day, considers himself blessed to have been present on the day that the Pope touched down in Ireland West Airport and made the short journey down the N17.

“I was here in the middle of the rain and everything that day,” he reminisced.

“He was quite near where we were. We were out at the back of the Basilica, moving people along, and he was quite near as he came up to go to the Apparition Church. He appeared to have a lot of interest in the basilica and the old church, and the adoration chapel. He left a nice momento.”

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The esteem in which the recently deceased Pontiff was held was evidenced by the crowds piling into the Basilica for a Memorial Mass on Wednesday evening (April 23).

On a usual evening, the smaller venue of the Church of Saint John the Baptist would be used. Regular visitors to the grounds of the Basilica would note the iconic venue lies mostly dormant.

Not on Wednesday. Even 90 minutes before the Mass, worshippers were shuffling into the pews.

According to Michael, on a normal Sunday, 50 of the Cháirde Mhuire stewards would don their blue gowns and get to work. For this event, 150 of the 280 stewards were on hand.

Before the event, he spoke of the shock at the Pope’s passing.

“I was a bit surprised at the timing because he was on the news the night before,” he stated.

“He looked poorly when he was on the TV, but I still didn’t think we’d be hearing the bad news.

“We knew it was probably a matter of a short time, but to see it happen overnight was a big surprise for us.”

Fellow steward Jack Kelleher was off-duty for the night on Wednesday. However, he still felt compelled to come along and pay his respects. He echoed the sentiments of his fellow steward upon hearing the news.

“I was sad to hear he was in bad health. It was certainly a shock, but he’ll live well and he was an excellent Pope.”

Mr Kelleher also spoke fondly of the day when he and the thousands packed into the grounds of the Basilica danced among the showers to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis.

“It was a bad, stormy day, and all of us on duty were getting a bit wet, but there were still 45,000 people here,” he said.

“I got very close to him, he was in his Popemobile going round. We got within a few yards of him. Unfortunately, I didn’t shake hands with him!”

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Róisín Reilly, from Ballybrit, has similar memories of a 2019 encounter with the Pope during a visit to the Vatican City. During her visit, she came within touching distance of the Church’s leader as he blessed the crowds in Saint Peter’s Square.

“You felt a presence,” she stated. 

“People would have said the same thing about Pope John Paul. You felt that presence when he did pass by, and it was the same when he came past us that day.

“I’d say that someday he could become a saint one day. I think he’ll do a lot more work now that he’s passed on, on top of all the good work he did when he was here.”

If the next Pope can capture the hearts of the people of Ireland like those who spoke outside the Basilica in Knock on the passing of his predecessor, they’ll go a long way.