Over 1,000 people in S'pore attend Pope Francis' Memorial Mass at Cathedral of the Good Shepherd

More than 1,000 people braved the heat to attend the Memorial Mass of Pope Francis at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in Bras Basah on Apr. 22 afternoon.

Pope Francis, the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church, passed away on Apr. 21 after suffering from a stroke and cardiocirculatory collapse, reported Vatican News.

Cathedral near full capacity 30 minutes before mass

When Mothership arrived at the cathedral at around 12:45pm, 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of the mass, seats outside the cathedral had already been occupied.

Dozens of attendees were seen queuing in front of the cathedral's main entrance as the seats inside the cathedral were almost filled up.

Others had to stand outside the cathedral to participate in the mass.

Individuals from various age groups were seen paying their respects to the late pope.

By the time mass started at 1:15pm, the cathedral, which has around 900 seats, had reached full capacity, Mothership understands from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore.

During a post-mass doorstop interview, archdiocese spokesperson Andre Ahchak added that representatives from the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) and diplomats from at least 10 foreign countries also attended the mass.

The representatives were from Timor-Leste, the Philippines, Mexico, Venezuela, Panama, Brazil, Peru, Portugal, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Pope Francis 'cares for everyone': Cardinal William Goh

Cardinal William Goh, who presided over the memorial mass, shared in his homily that Pope Francis' passing had taken many "by surprise".

While many knew about the pope's deteriorating health conditions, they might not have expected he would pass on the day after he made an appearance on Easter Sunday (Apr. 20) at Vatican City.

Goh also paid tribute to Pope Francis, calling him a man "who cares for everyone", regardless of their faith:

"He would find any opportunity to speak up for those who are suffering innocently, those in war-torn countries, those under oppression. Pope Francis would never stop speaking on behalf of the poor, the voiceless, the oppressed.

Even on Easter Sunday, the day before he would leave this world, he never forgot those people who were suffering because his heart was with these people."

Goh was referring to the message written by the pope, which was read on his behalf by Archbishop Diego Ravelli on Apr. 20.

In the message, Pope Francis called for a ceasefire and peace in Gaza, Ukraine, and Myanmar, amongst other places of conflict.

Goh to attend cardinal congregations in Rome

During the post-mass doorstop interview, the archdiocese spokesperson said the cathedral was "overflowing" with mass attendees, which was an indication of "the people's love and attachment" to Pope Francis.

He added that Pope Francis was "a pope who has walked the talk" and always reached out to those "who felt that they were not important enough for anyone to love them".

The spokesperson further revealed that approximately 10 minutes after being informed of the pope's death, Goh was notified by the Dean of the College of Cardinals that the first general congregation of cardinals would be held in Vatican City on Apr. 22.

The general congregations, which take place days after the resignation or death of a pope, will set the stage for the conclave, where a maximum of 120 cardinals who are under the age of 80 will elect the next pontiff, according to Reuters.

While Goh, 67, is eligible to vote, the archdiocese is still confirming when Goh could leave for the congregation.

More information about Goh's itinerary will be released at a later date.

Ways to pay tribute

Those who wish to pay their respect to Pope Francis can do so at the dedicated online space on CatholicSG.

Messages of condolences and reflections can be left there.

A physical book of condolences is also available for those who wish to pen their thoughts in person.

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Top images by Winnie Li/Mothership