'We try to follow Pope's example'

"We got to know him better, possibly, than any of the other Popes. He was so inspiring, and I think it spread to other people too."

Lisa Fisher, a regular worshipper at St George's Roman Catholic Church in Worcester, has come to the church for one of the final weekday masses before the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday.

A special service is taking place at the church on Friday evening for people to pay their respects and pray for the late pontiff.

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, after leading the Catholic Church for 12 years.

Among those who will be attending Friday's service at St George's is Jordan Leaman.

He is looking forward to celebrating the Pope's life by watching his funeral on television.

"To me, Pope Francis meant all of the good in the world," said Mr Leaman. "We all follow his example and unite in his heavenly mission."

Another woman said the Pope represented the Church she grew up in, "one of compassion and love".

"I think he spoke to us, and he represented us, and he led us, so I'm very sad," she said.

"But we give thanks. I think he gave us the voice that we have at the lay level, rather than the international political structure that we often see."

For Ms Fisher, too, Pope Francis represented Catholics themselves as much as he did the Church.

"I've got neighbours who've said how wonderful he was," she said. "I just think the fact that he wanted a simple coffin, and that he never wore the red shoes that the other Popes did – he was true to himself."

Mandy Jones will also be watching the papal funeral on television. Although she mourns Pope Francis' passing, she feels it came at an appropriate time.

"I thought it was super that he actually died when he died, because I thought he'd done his duty," she explained. "He'd done Christmas, and I think he really wanted to do Easter.

"He was a lovely man."

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