“VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, died Monday [April 21, 2025]. He was 88. …
“He made his last public appearance on Easter Sunday — a day before his death — to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square, drawing wild cheers and applause. …
“World leaders on Monday extolled Francis’ commitment to the marginalized. French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country is largely Catholic, wrote on X: “From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. … May this hope forever outlast him.” (https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead)
I tried to find a drawing Joseph Papin did of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC but was unsuccessful thus far. Pope Francis visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC in September of 2015.
There are two St. Patrick’s in New York City. The original St. Patrick’s, The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, was completed in 1815, while the newer St. Patrick’s Cathedral is on 5th Avenue and the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of New York; it was completed in 1878. This drawing is of the The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral.
A basilica is a church that has special importance for worship or history, while a cathedral is the seat of a bishop:
“A basilica is an important church building designated by the Vatican because it carries significant historical, spiritual, and architectural qualities and attributes. The designation of Minor Basilica is the highest permanent designation for a church building, and once a church is named a basilica, it cannot lose its basilica status.” (https://stmaryoldtown.org/basilica-cathedral-shrine/) [Old St. Patrick’s became a bascilica on March 17, 2010.]
“A cathedral is the home church for the bishop or archbishop of a diocese. It takes its name from the bishop’s chair, called a cathedra in Latin. The cathedra represents the position and authority of the bishop, and the place where he resides in the territory of his jurisdiction.” (https://stmaryoldtown.org/basilica-cathedral-shrine/)
Joseph Papin drawing of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, Daily News, August 20, 1989.
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