250 thousand the faithful at the last farewell to Pope Francis
Pope Francis, who led the Catholic church for over 12 years, left April 21 at the age of 88. His pontificate, full of simplicity, openness and concern about the weakest, ended in an atmosphere of deep regret, but also gratitude. The funeral mass was attended by cardinals, politicians, crowned heads, clergy of other denominations and ordinary faithful who wanted to pay the last tribute to the Pope « among people ».
« Pope among people » to the very end
The funeral mass was presided over by the dean of the cardinal college, 91-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. In his homily, he emphasized that Francis was « a pope among people » who « loved his sheep until he gave his life for them. »
At the coffin, on which the Open Gospel was laid, and the light wind turned her pages a symbolic image was set up. It was the icon of Salus Populi Romani from the Basilica of Our Lady of Bigger, Franciszek, especially in difficult moments of Pandemia.
5,000 concelebrated in the mass. clergy, including 220 cardinals.
World leaders at the funeral of Pope Francis
Representatives of 160 delegations and many world leaders were present at Saint Peter Square. President Donald Trump with his wife Melania and former president Joe Biden with his wife Jill came from the USA. There were also among the leaders Italian presidents Sergio Mattarella, Ukraine Volodymyr Zelnski, Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier, France Emmanuel Macron and Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
President Andrzej Duda came from Poland to the ceremony with his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda. The European Union was represented by Ursula von der Leyen, Robert Metsool and Antonio Costa. The touching moment was the symbolic transmission of the room sign between Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen.
Among the crowned heads appeared, among others King of Belgians Filip, King of Spain Filip VI with Queen Letitia and Prince Williamrepresenting the British royal family.
Vatican. Thousands of faithful from all parts of the world
Thousands of pilgrims came to the funeral, including numerous Argentineans, compatriots of the Pope, as well as many Poles. There were also young participants of the jubilee of schoolchildren who originally came to the canonization of the blessed Carlo Autis, suspended after the death of Francis.
The Pope’s family was also present among the faithful – relatives from the hometown of Piedmont and cousin Ana Rosa Sivori, a nun working in Thailand. Flags from around the world fluttered in the square.
The faithful, wanting to secure a place near the altar, arrived on Friday evening, and the square was opened before dawn.
The Pope who « built bridges »
The Cardinal RE in his homily recalled not only the spiritual message of the Pope, but also his specific actions – concern for refugees, poor and excluded. He emphasized that Franciszek « retained his temperament and style of pastoral conduction », being close to people and the problems of modern times.
Franciszek’s symbolic gestures were recalled – the first pilgrimage to Lampedusa, dramatic appeals for peace during the wars and his visit to Iraq in 2021, despite the dangers.
The words of the Pope: « Build bridges, not the walls » sounded particularly strong that day. Francis, as Cardinal Re, emphasized, saw the church as « a house with always open doors » for everyone.
Source: PAP
Pope Francis rested in the place he pointed out. End of the ceremony (live)
Striking absence from pl. Saint. Piotr. « Fakt » reporter surprised. « I haven’t seen a single one »
/s3/static.nrc.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24221321/data131302256-8430da.jpg "Ninety deals in ninety days does not want to go for Trump yet")
