Hundreds attend prayer vigil for Pope Francis in Halifax

A prayer vigil was held Friday night for Pope Francis at Saint Mary's Cathedral Basilica in Halifax ahead of his funeral Saturday.

A prayer vigil was held Friday night in Halifax for Pope Francis.

Hundreds of people attended the service at Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, which took place hours before the Pope’s funeral. People of all faiths attended, and said it was important to come together and pay tribute to the late Pontiff.

“I came here because the death of His Holiness Pope Francis really affects people all over the world, whether they come from the Roman Catholic tradition or others, or of no faith tradition at all,” said Reverend Sandra Fyfe, Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

“His life of compassion and mercy for the most vulnerable people in our world is something that I think has impacted people.”

The service was led by the Archbishop of Halifax-Yarmouth Brian Dunn. After the blessing and several prayers, attendees were invited to a reception in the cathedral hall.

“He was an inspiration to people all over the world, and I’m here to pay my respect to him but also to offer consolation to my Roman Catholic brothers and sisters who are also grieving his death in a different kind of way,” said Fyfe.

Pope Francis died of heart failure last Monday at the age of 88. His funeral was held Saturday in Rome.

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