By Eileen Buckley and Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Local Catholics were drawn together after learning of Pope John Paul's death Saturday afternoon. The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo held a special Mass in his memory at Saint Joseph's Cathedral in downtown Buffalo.
Buffalo Bishop Edward Kmiec celebrated the Mass for local Catholics as they begin mourning the loss of the Pope. In offering comfort to the community, the Bishop said he would use the words the Holy Father spoke so many times -- "be not afraid."
"He said that on the very night when he stepped out on the balcony to be announced as the Pope," Kmiec said. "He said 'be not afraid.' I think that's what we have to tell our people to try to comfort them."
Kmiec says he is experiencing a "real sense of mourning." Both Kmiec and Auxiliary Bishop Edward Grosz had several meetings with the Pope. Just this past Fall, Grosz met with the Holy Father.
"Even as I saw his health waning, he was so gracious," Grosz said. "He was kind to all of us bishops. He was so concerned about all of us.
"It was a very wonderful meeting. Of course, now that we look in hind sight, what a privilege and honor it was for me to see him before he died."
Churches throughout the diocese will be remembering the Pope in their Masses Sunday.
In North Buffalo, Saint Rose of Lima Pastor Fr. Harry Winter says Catholics need to thank God for the leadership the Pope has provided. Winter says the timing of his death also has special meaning.
"It's remarkable he died on the eve of the feast day of Divine Mercy," Fr. Winter said. "Remember, he had canonized the humble Polish nun who said she had received the message from Jesus that he's infinite mercy.
"It's almost as if the Pope waited, and God waited to call him home, when the liturgical celebration had already begun."
The Bishop says the passing of the Pope is like losing a family member. But as Catholics -- they know God is welcoming him into heaven.
Click the "listen" icon above to hear an interview by WBFO's Mark Scott with Fr. Richard Siepka, rector of Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, on Pope John Paul's legacy.