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World Mourns the Sudden Passing of Pope Francis
On what is traditionally a day of hope and celebration within the Christian community, thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square to listen to Pope Francis’s heartfelt call for peace on Easter Sunday. Just a day later, the Vatican confirmed the unexpected news of his death, leaving many in shock.
Visitors and pilgrims who had come to Rome to participate in Holy Week were left reeling when they learned of the Pope’s passing on Monday morning, particularly after witnessing the Pope’s vibrant presence just hours earlier. His open-topped popemobile had traversed through the crowd amid cheers of “viva il papa!” on Christianity’s most significant day.
Rev. Bachai, a retired priest from the United States, expressed his disbelief at the sudden loss, likening the emotional turmoil to that of a bruise. “He appeared in public yesterday, looked healthy. I was so shocked, and of course, sad,” he said.
Ida Marie, a visitor from Denmark, echoed similar sentiments of disbelief. “We were just here yesterday and we saw him alive, and he was smiling, waving. It felt like the right thing to do to come back and pay our respects,” she told CBC News.
As news of the Pope’s death settled in, an atmosphere of mourning enveloped the square, replacing the joyous Easter celebrations. At noon, the bells of St. Peter’s rang solemnly, and a deep silence fell over the crowd.
Letizia Bartocci, who works nearby, also expressed her shock: “We saw him here; it was shocking news this morning.”
Sister Alicia Rios, visiting from Mexico, described the news as a “real surprise.” She shared her feelings of both sadness and gratitude, hoping many would pray for the Pope’s soul and appreciate his profound contributions during his papacy. “In a way, I’m also happy because we knew that he was suffering from his health,” she said. “We just hope that so many people pray for him.”
Locals and tourists alike were moved by the loss. Emanuela Tinari, a Roman resident, reflected on the impact Pope Francis had on countless individuals, stating, “He was a pope who brought so many people closer to the church.”
For Frank Lavis Tourneta, a visitor from Corsica, being in Rome on the day of the Pope’s death took on special significance. “Today I see a sign of the Christian religion that Pope Francis has died today and gone to heaven. I believe that it is a strong sign for the Christian faith today,” he remarked.
The unexpected passing of Pope Francis has created a profound sense of loss among people from all walks of life, uniting them in remembrance of a leader who championed peace and compassion throughout his life.
Source
www.cbc.ca