The Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland held a memorial service for Pope Francis, reflecting on his impact as a compassionate leader. Community members, including Oakland Bishop Michael Barber, reminisced about his warm personality and ability to connect with people across faiths. Many attendees, like Jonathan Arnold and Claire Obenson, shared personal stories of how Pope Francis inspired their spiritual journeys. The service, while somber, also celebrated the hope of resurrection and the strong community bond formed in honoring his legacy. The memorial underscored the Pope's significant role during challenging times and celebrated unity.
"I think Pope Francis really ushered in a new era... he was all about proclaiming the good news of Jesus and bringing compassion... the Pope for the right time."
"It's sad because we've lost our Holy Father, and he connected with all of us... Everybody, even people who weren't Catholic, said, 'I sure like your Pope.' And it's happy, because we believe in the resurrection."
"On the times that I met him in Rome, he was the most warm and loving person... he would look you in the eye. He'd give you a big hug."
"It's a beautiful time in our world to see just Saint Peter's Square and the number of people that came together to honor one man... especially for what we're going through now in the United States."
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