English-speaking Catholic community in Luxembourg to hold mass for Pope Francis

People in Luxembourg are able to pay their respects to Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, at one of the Catholic community’s churches where a photo of the pontiff has been placed surrounded by candles.

Pope Francis died of a stroke and subsequent heart failure on Monday aged 88. Less than 24 hours before his death, he made his way through thousands of worshipers in St Peter’s Square on the Popemobile. His funeral will take place in Rome on Saturday.

The international English-speaking Catholic community has placed a photo of the Pope, who visited Luxembourg last year, at the entry of Saint-Alphonse church on Rue des Capucins in Luxembourg City for people to pay their respects. The church is better known as the garden chapel.

The community will also pay tribute to the popular pontiff at its Saint-Alphonse church service at 19:30 on Saturday evening, its 11:00 Sunday mass in St Pie X church at 112 Avenue Gaston Diderich, Belair, and at its 18:30 Sunday evening mass in St Michel’s Church on Rue Sigefroi.

“It’s very important to have a place for people to go,” said Father Michael Cusack, the community’s priest. “When anyone dies we need a place where we can take a quiet moment to express our own gratitude or sorrow and many people are grateful for the goodness he brought to the world.”

Pope Francis drinking a cup of coffee at Gruppetto café, Luxembourg City, 26 September 2024.  © Photo credit: Max Tonteling

Crowds of people gathered the streets of Luxembourg City during Pope Francis’ visit in September last year. He waved to the crowds from his Popemobile and addressed a congregation at Notre Dame Cathedral. During his meeting with the Grand Ducal family, Pope Francis signed the palace’s guest book and left a message, in Italian, which read: “The protection of the dignity of the person, the service to the common good, dialogue and international collaboration: this is what makes a state great.”

He made headlines after spontaneously stopping at café Gruppetto for an espresso. The café later received dozens of phone calls from people wanting to buy the espresso cup the Pope had used, with some offering to buy it for up to €300.

The Pope’s death on Easter Monday came as a surprise to many after he took part in Easter celebrations only the previous day.

“I was surprised but not shocked and I was relieved for him, knowing he won’t suffer any more,” said Cusack. “The fact that he died on Easter Monday, you couldn’t write the script for that, it was very poignant and is meaningful for people. He spent himself to the very end. Very few people in the last throws of life were there for the people.”

The coffin of Pope Francis Peter’s Basilica © Photo credit: AFP

Luxembourg’s Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich will take part in the conclave to select the next head of the Catholic church. He travelled to Rome on Monday and will remain there until a new pope is chosen but has said he does not consider himself a contender for the post. 

Tens of thousands of mourners have been to view Pope Francis’ body ahead of his funeral on Saturday, which around 50 heads of state and 10 monarchs are expected to attend, including Luxembourg’s Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Prime Minister Luc Frieden. The funeral mass will begin at 10:00 in St Peter’s Square.