At the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament on the day of Pope John Paul II's death, Msgr. Michael LeFevre, rector of the cathedral, lines the Vatican State flag with black trim.

Now – after urging his parishioners to focus on the Resurrection and to thank God for the life of Pope John Paul II – Detroit's cardinal archbishop has joined the college of cardinals in Rome to mourn the pope's passing, and to select a new holy father.

"It's with great sorrow in my heart that I have to accept God's will in this matter," the cardinal said after celebrating Mass at Detroit's mother church on Divine Mercy Sunday. "I've been to Rome many, many times – but I have never gone with such a heavy heart."

The cardinal said electing a new pontiff would be his greatest responsibility and privilege as a cardinal.

"I can't imagine any other calling or any other matter of importance than the one that will be before me in the coming days," he said. "That's why I am here. That's why I became a priest and, by the providence of God, I'm in Detroit and became a cardinal."

Before his departure, he asked the faithful of the archdiocese – and even those in the news media – to pray for him.

"I ask for prayers from the faithful and people of good will that God will guide us," the cardinal said.

 

A single rose is placed on the chair Pope John Paul II used at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in 1978. The chair, placed behind the cathedral's altar, later was covered with black cloth.

Stephen and Graciela Gillis, with their children, Mackenzie, 10, and Solana, 8, gaze up at a painting of the late Holy Father at Detroit's mother church on the day of his death.

At the cathedral, a novena of Masses had been established to pray for the repose of the soul of John Paul II. Also, Msgr. Michael LeFevre said the cathedral would be open during each of the nine days following the pope's death. People of all faiths would be welcome to pray at the cathedral, and also to sign a book of condolence for the holy father.

Other parishes in the archdiocese have scheduled their own prayer services for the repose of the soul of the pope.

Last Friday, rosaries were offered up for the holy father at the cathedral and at many Detroit-area parishes. A prayer service at the cathedral also followed the pope's death.

Before leaving for Rome, Cardinal Maida – often emotional when recalling the friendship he had with John Paul II – said he hadn't yet focused on electing a successor.

During a homily on Divine Mercy Sunday April 3, Cardinal Adam Maida speaks on the Gospel reading, and also offers a reflection on the example Pope John Paul II has left for his Church.

"I can tell you with all honesty that I don't have an agenda; I don't have a picture; I don't have a person in mind," he told news media last Sunday.

The cardinal said that the Holy Spirit would work as the cardinals discussed with one another who would lead the Church into the future. What would be most important, he said, are the private, prayerful conversations held during the conclave.