Inside the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle is a portrait of Pope Francis that’s standing near the altar. 

Francis, who was hospitalized for over a month in February due to a respiratory issue, died Monday at the age of 88.

Since news of Francis’ death, people have come to the Basilica to pray for the departed pontiff.

Francis served 12 years as the head of the Catholic Church, and was the first pope from Latin America. 

READ MORE: Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff who ministered with a charming, humble style, dies at 88

Sister Norma Pimentel, the executive director for Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, said she’s met with the former pope.

Pope Francis took an interest in the work of Catholic Charities, and the lives of migrants at the border, from all over Latin America. 

“He identifies with us so directly because he understands the reality of the people of South America, Central America,” Pimentel said.

On Monday, the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville released a statement announcing two public masses in honor of Pope Francis.

The first mass is set for Tuesday, April 22 at noon at the Immaculate Conception in Brownsville. 

The second mass will be held on Wednesday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle.

Both masses will be livestreamed on KRGV’s Facebook page.

“The Church begins nine days of prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. I urge the faithful to gather in parish churches to pray the Rosary for him and attend Mass,” Bishop Daniel Flores said in the statement. “Let us comfort one another with assurances of faith and hope, as the Apostle urges, for Christ, who suffered and died for us, has risen as he promised.”

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