Potential Pope Successor Will Lead Mass For Francis In New Jersey

NEWARK, NJ — The Archdiocese of Newark will be holding a special Mass for the late Pope Francis on Tuesday, which will be led by a potential successor for the beloved religious leader: Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin.

Francis, 88, died on Monday. The pope – who was highly praised for his humble style and concern for the poor – was hospitalized on Feb. 14 for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. His last public appearance was made on Easter Sunday.

>> Read More: 'Legacy Of Love, Mercy And Service': New Jersey Reacts To The Death Of Pope Francis

“He was a man of deep faith, profound humility, and unshakable hope — a servant whose tireless call to care for the poor and the marginalized will continue to inspire the church for generations to come,” Tobin said of Francis.

Tobin encouraged the public to honor the late pope’s memory by being “merciful, welcoming, and always near to those on the margins.”

Tobin will lead a “Mass for the Repose of the Soul of Pope Francis” at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. The Mass will be livestreamed on the YouTube channels of the Cathedral Basilica and Archdiocese.

Tobin – who could be a potential papal successor himself – would be an unlikely choice to replace Francis. But he is among the leading U.S. candidates, multiple news outlets reported Monday.

Tobin is head of the Archdiocese of Newark, which includes about 1.3 million Catholic residents of Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties. The archdiocese includes 211 parishes and 67 Catholic schools.

• See Related: Will The Next Pope Come From NJ? New Archbishop Appointed In Newark

The cardinal has been an advocate for immigrant rights, and has also welcomed LGTBQ people into services, among other social justice issues.

• See Related: NJ Cardinal Asks Gun Owners To 'Set Aside' 2nd Amendment Rights
• See Related: NJ Churches Answer Call To Go Greener: ‘Climate Change Is Real’
• See Related: Archdiocese of Newark Celebrates Black History Month With Special Mass
• See Related: North Jersey Catholics Want Welcoming Church With Involved Youth, Ordained Women, Survey Says

CATHOLIC, MUSLIM, JEWISH GROUPS MOURN FOR LATE POPE

Several Catholic institutions and leaders mourned Francis on Monday after learning of his passing.

Joseph Richard Reilly, the president of Seton Hall University in South Orange, penned a message of condolence to the school’s predominantly Catholic community in the wake of the pope’s death.

“We will miss his voice, his wisdom, his courage, his humility and his mere presence in the world,” Reilly wrote.

• See Related: Seton Hall President Mourns Pope Francis: ‘Wisdom, Courage, Humility’

Francis’ death also saw messages of condolence from several non-Catholic clergy members and religious groups.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) – the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization – offered its condolences to the Catholic community and Christians around the world.

CAIR national executive director Nihad Awad praised Francis’ “emphasis on the compassionate treatment of migrants and others facing crisis” and his “efforts to uphold the traditional values of his faith while maintaining a respectful tone.

Meanwhile, B’nai B’rith International, the world’s oldest Jewish communal and humanitarian organization – which has worked with Francis in the past – extended its “heartfelt condolences” to Catholics worldwide.

“Notwithstanding any religious or other differences between us, we will remember Pope Francis for his personal humility, his longstanding friendship with Jews and accessibility to Jewish leadership, and his decrying of enduring anti-Semitism,” B’nai B’rith’s director of United Nations and intercommunal affairs David Michael said.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.