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Pope Francis Remembered as Mourners Gather at St. Peter’s Square

On a warm spring day, thousands of mourners lined up for hours in St. Peter’s Square to pay their last tributes to Pope Francis, who lay in a simple wooden coffin placed at the altar of the historic basilica. He will remain in state until Friday evening.

Pope Francis, who led the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, passed away following a stroke and heart failure at his residence, Casa Santa Marta, at the age of 88. His death came after a five-week battle with double pneumonia, during which he was hospitalized.

In accordance with his wishes for a modest funeral, Pope Francis was dressed in his papal vestments, clutching a rosary, with his casket adorned in red cloth. In a departure from tradition, his coffin was not elevated on a platform, reflecting his desire to simplify papal funeral customs, which he prioritized in his papacy.

The funeral mass is scheduled for Saturday morning in St. Peter’s Square, promising to attract an array of leaders and dignitaries, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, US President Donald Trump, and Prince William. Pope Francis will be interred at the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome, marking a notable shift from established Vatican practices.

Mourners expressed their grief as Francis’s coffin was borne through St. Peter’s Square, accompanied by a procession of cardinals and bishops, under the watchful eyes of the Swiss Guards. The solemn atmosphere was accentuated by the gentle tolling of the basilica’s bells and the haunting chants of psalms and prayers in Latin that echoed through the square.

Cardinal Thomas Christopher Collins, who participated in the procession, described the moment as profound. He noted that despite its simplicity, the ceremony retained the essence of a universal funeral rite.

By midday, Vatican officials reported that over 20,000 people had queued, with lines extending along the route to Vatican City. Mourners, many armed with umbrellas to shield from the sun, were resolute in their desire to honor the late pope.

Abigail and her family from California exemplified this spirit, arriving prepared for a long wait, expressing that being present for this occasion was a privilege.

Just days prior, Pope Francis had made a final public appearance in St. Peter’s Square, blessing the congregation gathered for Easter Sunday mass, which many now reflect upon as his last moment of visibility to the faithful.

Despite the anticipation of his passing, some mourners struggled to come to terms with their loss. Piotr Grzeszyk, visiting from Poland, voiced his disbelief at the reality of Francis’s absence.

Among the mourners was Vicky Cabral, who had brought her family from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to witness the pope’s final moments. They had hoped to see him during a scheduled canonization ceremony now postponed, but finding themselves present at this memorial filled them with a sense of unexpected blessing. “Francis was a remarkable pope and deserves to be recognized as a saint,” she reflected.

Once inside St. Peter’s Basilica, visitors fell silent as they approached the altar, a sign of respect for the late pontiff. Francesco Catini, who had traveled from Venice, shared his gratitude for the experience, viewing Pope Francis as a beacon of peace and humility.

Chiara Frassine, who also waited hours to pay her respects, echoed this sentiment, honoring the pope’s legacy of compassion that transcended religious boundaries.

Interestingly, not all present were Catholics. Gunnar Prieß from Germany shared his non-religious motivation behind attending. He viewed the event as a majestic expression of a long-standing tradition, wishing to absorb the unique atmosphere of the Vatican.

As the funeral events unfold, speculation regarding the next papal conclave begins to surface. A conclave is anticipated to convene starting May 6, and while no contender has emerged as a clear favorite, reform-minded figures like Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines and Pietro Parolin from Italy are gaining attention.

Cardinal Collins, who will also participate in the conclave, remains discreet about potential successors, leaving much to the imagination regarding the future governance of the Catholic Church.

Source
www.theguardian.com