Today at noon, the historic Holy Family Catholic Church in Fernie rang its bell 88 times to honour the life and legacy of Pope Francis, who passed away earlier this week. The solemn tribute recognized the Pope’s decades of service to humanity, his commitment to reconciliation in Canada, and his advocacy for environmental stewardship and climate change awareness.
Standing among the gathered community was 93-year-old Sam Caravetta, a lifelong Fernie Catholic who was born and raised in the town. Reflecting on the moment, Caravetta shared: “The Pope was a good man—a good man to everybody.”
Listen to the 88 rings here:
The Holy Family Church, built in 1912 and a cornerstone of Fernie’s spiritual and cultural heritage, has long been a gathering place for significant moments of faith and remembrance. Today’s ceremony connected Fernie to the millions of Catholics and admirers worldwide mourning the passing of a Pope known for his humility, compassion, and efforts to modernize the Church while remaining deeply committed to its core teachings.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, made history in 2013 when he became the first Pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church. His papacy was marked by a focus on social justice, outreach to marginalized communities, and a groundbreaking apology to Indigenous peoples in Canada for the Catholic Church’s role in residential schools.
In addition, Pope Francis made global headlines with his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, urging the world to act against climate change and framing environmental care as a moral imperative.
Today’s bell ringing served not only as a farewell to a transformative religious leader but also as a call to continue the values he championed: humility, dialogue, reconciliation, and care for the Earth.
As the sound of the final bell faded over Fernie, it was clear that Pope Francis’s legacy of compassion and courage had found a deep and lasting resonance, even in this small mountain town.
