LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Hundreds of people packed the pews of the Guardian Angel Cathedral as the Archdiocese of Las Vegas held a memorial service to honor the life of Pope Francis Friday.
“I remembered he’s not here,” said one churchgoer, choking back tears.
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church died Monday. Pope Francis was the first non-European Pope. He was known for breaking church boundaries and as a champion for the poor and the oppressed around the world.
Friday’s mass was like a traditional Sunday Catholic mass, except Archdiocese of Las Vegas’ Archbishop Thomas led the service and dozens of priests within the archdiocese were in the front pews. His homily mirrored a eulogy detailing Pope Francis’ life, from his early days in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio to how he rose to become the 266th Pontiff and how he served for 12 years as a shepherd for the Roman Catholic Church. Archbishop Thomas believes Pope Francis will always be remembered as the Pope of the People.
“I think it’s his mega legacy to always remember the poor, always ask the question, who is not at the table? And always find people who are outside closer to the heart of the church,” Archbishop Thomas said.
He had the privilege of meeting Pope Francis a number of times, including when the Pope named the “Diocese” of Las Vegas to an “Archdiocese” in 2023. Archbishop Thomas considered him a friend and a spiritual Father with a great sense of humor.
“I told him I was the Archbishop of Vegas and he starts to deal cards,” Archbishop Thomas said, making a card dealing motion with his hands. “Then the last time I met him in Rome about a year and a half ago, when he saw me, he made the sound of a roulette wheel.”
Friday’s churchgoers recalled what Pope Francis’ leadership meant to them.
“The people is like one of us,” Jennifer Watson said. “He’s a brother. He’s a sister. He’s a father. He is everything to us.”
“I’m 81 years old so I’ve been Catholic all my life, been through many of the popes and Pope Francis was very dear to us,” added Hugh Jones. “He was a Franciscan who believes in the oppressed and under privileged. He did everything in his power for the environment and the world as a whole.”
Pope Francis’ funeral is Saturday morning. Viewers can watch the service on FOX5 starting at one in the morning.
Copyright 2025 KVVU. All rights reserved.
