(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Multiple vigils took place at churches across Colorado to honor the life of Pope Francis following his death on Monday, April 21.

Bells rang across Colorado on Easter Monday as crowds of people gathered to honor the life of the pope, and many became emotional.

“Today our holy father Pope Francis died in Rome this morning,” said the Archbishop of Colorado during mass.

Thousands of people across Colorado spent Monday mourning.

“He’s a man that’s touched not only Catholics but non-Catholics as well, he was by far mine and my family’s favorite pope of all time,” said one woman, crying over the loss.

Churches across the state created a place for mourning, and many people prayed, lit candles, and left flowers to honor the pope’s 88 years of life.

“He had a profound effect on our family,” said Carrie Johnson from Palmer Lake.

Photo by: Jack Temple

Johnson said while she never met the pope, she has a special connection to him. Johnson described the day as somber, but she said she is thankful for what Pope Francis has done for her family.

“I know that Austin [her son] should not be here today. That’s been affirmed to us by multiple doctors across the country, and I think that Pope Francis played a part in that and provided us with hope and the faith that we are rooted and grounded on,” she said.

She said her son suffered from a traumatic stoke when he was little, and she believes he survived after Pope Francis prayed for him and her family.

Photo By: Jack Young

“I can remember messaging our priest and saying, could you please pray for us, and he said, ‘I’ll do one better. I’m here with Pope Francis and he is praying for your son right now,’ and I just remember thinking out of all of the people in the world that he would stop for us in that moment,” she said.

Johnson said the pope spent his entire life praying for others, and now it is time for the world to pray for him.