Hundreds of Catholics have been streaming into this evening service here at St Mary’s Cathedral. There's a feeling of profound sadness here tonight, as parishioners gathered to mark this historical moment. Despite Pope Francis’s ill health, the news still shocked many worshippers who've gathered here for a special service. In his nearly 12 years in the role, Pope Francis didn't make it to Australia, but Catholics here say they still felt a deep connection to him.
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00:00As dawn broke, worshipers across Sydney gathered to pay their respects.
00:07He taught us what it was to know Christ in the world.
00:10We're all very devastated by the loss of Pope Francis, but I think the legacy he left is the most important of all.
00:16The pontiff was seen as a unifying figure.
00:19Somebody whom people of all ages, all regions have actually looked up to him.
00:25The 88-year-old had been struggling with ill health, but Catholics say news of his death here still took them by surprise.
00:33Very sad news to hear about the Pope's passing.
00:35He was just such a peacemaker and he was just a wonderful man.
00:38An often progressive leader, he took steps towards expanding opportunities for women.
00:43So he appointed women to really significant leadership positions within the Vatican.
00:48And for the LGBTQI community, his views about gay people were seen as a significant shift.
00:55There's no doubt that there was a powerful sense of a message of love.
01:00Now that is worth a hell of a lot to people who feel excluded and marginalised.
01:05But for survivors of child sexual abuse, critics say he didn't do enough.
01:10It wasn't an easy path for him. He probably did his best, but could have done more.
01:17In September last year, the Pope visited nations in the region, but never made it to Australia.
01:23His message of hope during trying times resonated far and wide.
01:28He's the first Latin American Pope. He's the Pope who got us through the pandemic, the COVID pandemic.
01:34Australia's Catholic population has been in steady decline in recent years as the younger generation becomes increasingly secular.
01:42But with nearly 5 million followers nationwide, the Pope's death is still being felt close to home.
01:49Oh, he's doing a gentle, kind leader. An understanding leader. Not so dogmatic.
01:55A legacy that will be remembered for years to come.