DENVER — Members of the congregation at the Cathedral Basilica in Denver said Mass has been extra special this past week, and they feel Pope Francis’ visit to the United States has been great for the Catholic Church.

“He’s here and I feel like I can feel it around us with everyone attending mass at the Cathedral, so it’s a special day,” said Loan Hau, who was baptized Sunday morning.

The joy in the Catholic community is abundant right now, and Father Ron Cattany described Pope Francis’ visit as bringing hope to Catholics in the U.S.

“For every Mass I have celebrated since he has been here, the minute I mention his name it puts a smile on people’s faces,” Cattany said. “That’s an incredible thing because how many world leaders when you mention their name brings a smile to everyone’s face?”

Several groups from Colorado made the trip to see the pope, but those who didn’t say they still feel his presence.

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“That’s what makes these people in our culture today so real because they can reach out and touch them and go see them literally a couple hours away with a plane flight. It’s as if he is here because his spirit is here,” Cattany said.

One of Pope Francis’ key messages while he was in the country was giving to those in need. That was a big emphasis at the Cathedral Basilica’s Mass on Sunday morning.