Photo credit: globalnews.ca

Pope Francis’ Final Farewell: A Global Tributes as His Funeral Approaches

Pope Francis is set to be laid to rest on Saturday following a period of lying in state for three days at St. Peter’s Basilica, where many are expected to gather to honor the memory of the first Latin American pontiff.

This week, cardinals convened in the Vatican’s synod hall to plan for the upcoming conclave that will elect Francis’ successor, amidst an outpouring of condolences from around the globe. Per established protocol, the conclave is scheduled to commence between May 5 and 10.

The funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals. Notable figures such as U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei have indicated their intention to attend the ceremony.

Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke that put him into a coma and resulted in heart failure. He had recently been recuperating in his residence after a hospitalization of five weeks due to pneumonia. His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday, where he delivered a blessing and greeted followers from his popemobile as it made its way through St. Peter’s Square.

His Easter message, delivered from the same loggia where he was introduced to the world on March 13, 2013, served as a poignant conclusion to a 12-year papacy aimed at revitalizing the Church’s commitment to its core mission of aiding the impoverished.

Reflections from Vatican Officials on the Legacy of Francis

“He truly gave everything he had, up to the end,” remarked Sister Nathalie Becquart, a prominent figure within the Vatican, reflecting on Francis’ dedication. Regular churchgoers began paying their respects on Wednesday, while Vatican officials were granted the opportunity to bid farewell starting Monday evening. After her tribute, Becquart expressed admiration for the pope’s final Easter gesture: “He really walked with his people,” she remarked.

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi emphasized that one of Francis’ most significant contributions was his commitment to enhance the role of women within the Church. He highlighted the pope’s decision to be interred near an icon of the Madonna—at St. Mary Major Basilica instead of the customary burial site in the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica—as a noteworthy statement about the role of women.

“He wanted to be buried under the shadow of a woman, in this case Maria,” added Ravasi, noting that this reflects Francis’ aspiration for the Church to do more in support of women.

On Tuesday, initial photographs of his body were released, depicting him in his red vestments, wearing his bishop’s miter and resting in a wooden casket, with the Vatican’s secretary of state praying beside him in the Domus Santa Marta chapel where he spent his last moments.

In his last will, Francis expressed a desire to be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica, home to the revered Salus Populi Romani icon. He routinely visited the basilica before and after international trips to pray before the Byzantine-style painting featuring Mary and the infant Jesus.

After a 38-day hospital stay, Francis visited the basilica on March 23 to deliver flowers before the icon and returned there on April 12 for a final prayer before it.

Bells rang in churches, chapels, and cathedrals worldwide, and flags were flown at half-staff in nations including Italy, India, Taiwan, and the United States after the announcement of his passing. In Italy and Argentina, soccer matches were put on hold in tribute to the pope, a lifelong supporter of the San Lorenzo soccer club.

International leaders recognized Francis’ profound moral influence while everyday parishioners celebrated his humble approach. “Like every Argentine, I think he was a rebel,” shared 23-year-old Catalina Favaro, who came to pay her respects in Buenos Aires, reflecting on the complexities of his character.

In East Timor, where Francis conducted his last outdoor Mass in front of a massive crowd, President Jose Ramos-Horta acknowledged the pope’s bravery. “Pope Francis was a brave man who was not afraid to speak out against the rulers of the world who seek war, but do not want to seek peace,” Ramos-Horta said.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu also offered his thoughts, commending Francis for urging nations to act with justice and to care for the environment: “He challenged the powerful to act with justice, called nations to welcome the stranger, and reminded us that our common home — this Earth — is a gift we must protect for future generations.”

Preparations for the Funeral and the Coming Conclave

Following centuries-old traditions, the pope’s formal residences in the Vatican were sealed on Monday evening. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, serving as camerlengo, oversaw the rituals, which included the announcement of Francis’ death.

Unlike previous popes, Francis opted to live in a modest two-room suite in the Santa Marta hotel, where he ultimately passed away. His body was later moved to the hotel chapel for private viewings by Vatican personnel and members of the papal household.

In a departure from tradition, Francis’ body was placed in a single wooden coffin lined with zinc rather than the customary three coffins used for popes. When his casket is brought to St. Peter’s Basilica, it will be placed straightforwardly, facing the congregation without an elevated bier, alongside a Paschal candle.

“He was a pope who didn’t shy away from getting (his hands) dirty,” stated Cardinal Baldassarre Reina, emphasizing Francis’ commitment to serve the marginalized during a Mass in his honor. “For him, poor people and migrants were the sacrament of Jesus.”

The funeral will be followed by nine days of official mourning known as the “novendiali,” during which cardinals will gather privately in Rome to deliberate before the conclave.

In line with Vatican custom, to ensure all cardinals can arrive, the conclave must commence between 15 and 20 days after the announcement of the “sede vacante,” although it can begin sooner if the cardinals reach a consensus. As the conclave convenes, cardinals will cast votes in secrecy within the Sistine Chapel, with burnt ballots signaling the outcome: black smoke means no pope has been elected, while white smoke indicates a new leader has been chosen. The candidate receiving two-thirds of the votes will accept the position upon announcement by a cardinal from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica with the declaration, “Habemus Papam”—Latin for “We have a pope.”

Source
globalnews.ca