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Pope Francis was fondly remembered as “a pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone” during a poignant funeral mass, which drew a diverse array of attendees, from pilgrims and refugees to notable world leaders and royals.
The 88-year-old pontiff passed away on Monday following a stroke and subsequent heart complications. His death initiated a series of time-honored rituals accompanied by a large-scale, meticulously coordinated logistical and security operation, the likes of which have not been seen in Italy since the funeral of John Paul II in April 2005.
As the late pontiff’s wooden coffin was carried by 14 white-gloved pallbearers from St. Peter’s Basilica, where it had been laid in state for three days, the crowd erupted into applause. This moment unfolded in the Vatican’s grand square, setting the stage for an open-air ceremony.
Applause resonated again when Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who led the funeral service, spoke about Francis’s dedication to immigrants, his relentless calls for peace, and his emphasis on the urgent need to address climate change and resolve conflicts through negotiation.
Under a clear blue sky, over 250,000 pilgrims flocked to the Vatican, with the lines extending along Via della Conciliazione, the thoroughfare connecting the Italian capital to the holy site.
Among the attendees were Rosa Cirielli and her friend Pina Sanarico, who had left their homes in Taranto, southern Italy, at dawn to secure a spot in front of a large television screen. “When Pope Francis was alive, he gave us hope. Now we feel this significant void,” Cirielli remarked. “He departed during a troubled time for the world and was a strong advocate for peace.”
Leaders from more than 150 countries joined the mourners, including former US President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania. A White House representative mentioned a “very productive” meeting Trump had before the ceremony with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Images captured during the event showed Trump and Zelenskyy seated together inside St. Peter’s Basilica, alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. A post-mass meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy was also anticipated.
Other notable guests included former US President Joe Biden, the recent Argentine President Javier Milei, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Prince William.
The mass, lasting 90 minutes, was attended by 220 cardinals, 750 bishops, and over 4,000 priests.
Cardinal Re began his eulogy by reflecting on the immense affection shown towards Pope Francis in the days following his passing. “The heartfelt tributes we have witnessed tell us how deeply Francis’s tenure as pope resonated with people worldwide,” he noted.
He recalled the last public image many may have of Francis, delivering what would become his final blessing on Easter Sunday, while greeting the crowd from the popemobile in the same piazza where his funeral took place.
Cardinal Re highlighted Francis’s welcoming nature and his mission rooted in the belief that the church should be a home for everyone.
As the late pope made his final journey in a specially adapted popemobile, cheers and “Papa Francesco!” rang out from the crowds lining the streets. The procession, escorted by police on motorbikes, traversed several iconic Roman sites, including the Tiber River, Piazza Venezia, and the Colosseum, before reaching Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in the Esquilino neighborhood, a beloved location for Francis.
A group of 40 individuals—comprising prisoners, refugees, transgender persons, and the homeless—awaited him on the steps of the fourth-century basilica to offer a final tribute.
In a departure from tradition, Francis will not be interred with great ceremony in the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica but will instead be laid to rest in a simple niche. As requested in his will, this tomb will remain undecorated, marked only with his papal name, “Franciscus,” in Latin. A private burial will be attended by family, with public access to the tomb available starting Sunday.
The conclusion of the funeral prompts speculation about who might succeed Francis. Notably, he was the first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years and faced various challenges from conservative elements within the Church during his 12-year papacy. A nine-day mourning period will commence from Saturday, meaning a conclave for electing his successor is unlikely to begin before May 5.
While there is no definitive frontrunner, early favorites include Luis Antonio Tagle, a reform-minded cardinal from the Philippines, and Pietro Parolin from Italy.
Virginio and his wife Anna Maria traveled from Naples to participate in the funeral. While they took time to honor Francis’s legacy, they also pondered who would take the papal reins next. “We hope the new pope continues down the path that Francis laid out,” Anna Maria expressed.
Source
www.theguardian.com