Inside the basilica, people were more somber. And before the casket, the sense of prayer became palpable. There was a feeling of loss, certainly, and of grief. But it was not quite sadness, or at least not simply so. Pope Francis gave his life over to the mystery of God’s mercy, and now that giving is complete. Thanks be to God for that.

Pope Francis, who visited the U.S. multiple times during his 12 years as the head of the Catholic Church but never to Houston, has died.