E&OE
SUBJECTS: PASSING OF THE POPE Saint Michael’s Cathedral, Wagga Wagga
STARTS: 12:31PM
ENDS: 12:35PM
INTERVIEW:
Big day, a sombre day for the Catholic community.
MICHAEL McCORMACK:
It is a sad day today; it is a day of reflection and the thousands of Catholics across the Riverina will be thinking about the Pontiff today. Pope Francis was a person who had given so much to the world, so much forgiveness. A message of hope and humanity. He was somebody who many Catholics, but many more besides, looked up to for direction and leadership. And he provided that. He was the first Pope from the Americas, and he broke away from some of the traditions of the European Popes and was a little bit progressive for the church and that progression came at a time when it was sorely needed within the church and he will be sadly missed.
INTERVIEW:
Absolutely. Obviously, he never came to Australia, let alone the Riverina, but he surely made his mark.
MICHAEL McCORMACK:
He did, and his passing will be marked right across churches and the Cathedral here at Saint Michael’s Wagga Wagga, many, many people turning up for the midday service. And that is good, that is appropriate. And of course, politicians have paused their campaign to put down their weapons – so to speak, on a day when many people will reflect about what he brought to the world and the message that he gave and the hope that he offered, and it’s appropriate that, on this day, that we do put the politics aside and reflect on the message that he gave.