Pope Francis laid to rest after historic funeral | Eyewitness News updates

People in our area with connections to Latin America continue to mourn the loss of the pope, including a reverend in New Jersey who has spent time with Pope Francis during events overseas.

As the first Latin American pope, Pope Francis undoubtedly had a special connection with Latinos all over the globe.

Father Leonardo Jaramillio, the pastor of Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church in Clifton, knows how significant the connection is -- especially after meeting Pope Francis three times in 2019, August 2023 and another time in 2023.

According to the Pew Research Center, New Jersey is the fifth largest state with a population of Argentine persons.

Darla Miles has more:

Darla Miles reports from New Jersey.

On Monday, April 21, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., the Empire State Building will shine its tower lights in gold and white to honor the life and legacy of Pope Francis.

In the magnificent cathedral where he celebrated mass nearly ten years ago, Pope Francis is being remembered for the extraordinary man that he was.

At this morning's mass, Cardinal Timothy Dolan raised the same chalice used by Francis during the Pope's own mass here during his historic, two-day visit in 2015. Something the Cardinal says he remembers vividly.

"I remember as we got out of the Popemobile in front of Saint Patrick's after that tumultuous drive down Fifth Avenue, he said, 'I thought Americans didn't like religion.' That was the caricature that he had," Cardinal Dolan said. "We know how different-that's not true at all. He was overwhelmed by the warmth and the embrace of the city. So, personal memories."

For a pope so devoted to social justice, the impoverished and the plight of immigrants-New York City, with its tradition of embracing immigrants was a perfect fit.

N.J. Burkett has more:

N.J. Burkett reports from Midtown.

President Trump and First Lady Melania will be going to Pope Francis' funeral in Rome, the president announced in a post on the Truth Social platform.

"We look forward to being there!," Trump added in the post.