As Catholics around the world mourn the death of Pope Francis, parishioners packed the pews at the St. Elizabeth Church in Washington Heights Tuesday to say goodbye at a noon Spanish Mass.

“That’s what everybody do — we come to pray for him,” Juana Corciano said.

“I think he was a people’s Pope from Argentina and he did some good,” John Gallerani said.

What You Need To Know

  • St. Elizabeth Church in Washington Heights held a Spanish Mass at noon Tuesday where parishioners gathered to pray for Pope Francis

  • Nearly 50% of Washington Heights is foreign born

  • Many parishioners say they cherished how Pope Francis embraced the poor and migrants around the world
  • Pope Francis was the first pope from Latin America

Noelia Ramirez brought her grandchildren so they could mark this moment together.

“I’m Catholic. I was very attached to him because in the night I pray for him and then in the morning this happened,” Ramirez said.

In Washington Heights, sometimes known as Little Dominican Republic, where nearly 50% of the population is foreign born, many cherish that Pope Francis was from Latin America.

“I feel so proud, so blessed to have a Latin Pope, the first Latin Pope in this world,” Evelyn Ramos said.

Father Ambiorix Rodriguez says his parishioners connected with Pope Francis on a deeper level than any pontiff before, not only because he was from Latin America but also because Francis was a fierce defender of immigrants and migrants around the world.

“A lot of people make connections with the holy father, especially the immigrant community and I would say all the Hispanics, it’s a strong connection, so it’s like when you lose someone that is dear to you,” Rodriguez said.