St. John's University Honors Pope Francis with Art and Mass

Community Mourning and Remembrance

• 😔 The St. John's University community gathered for a mass at St. Thomas Moore Church to honor and remember Pope Francis.
• 💬 Father Brian Shanley spoke about the pontiff's ability to connect with people, likening him to Jesus walking with his disciples, emphasizing his message of hope and meaning.
• 💡 Pope Francis is remembered for his gift of reaching out to young people, a sentiment echoed by students like altar server Aiden Hefernon.

Artistic Expression of Grief

• 🎨 Ahead of the mass, students created a mosaic of the Pope by painting individual tiles, offering a unique way to express their grief and reflect.
• ✨ This artistic endeavor is described as a healing space for students processing the impact Pope Francis had on the Catholic Church and the world.

Personal Tributes and Reflections

• 💔 Bishop Joseph Espayat shared his mixed emotions, having been named an auxiliary bishop by Pope Francis, and described the experience of paying respects in Rome as a privileged moment.
• 🙏 He reflected on Pope Francis as a humble man who loved the Lord and has now returned home, feeling like the loss of a father figure.
• 📺 CBS News New York will provide coverage of Pope Francis's funeral in a special report.