Believers arrived in Rome to say the last goodbye to Pope Francis: ‘This pope was really important’
Caruso came to St. Peter’s Square at seven o’clock in the morning to take a place to watch a festive procession that brings the pope’s body at St. Peter’s Basilica. It will be in the open coffin for three days.
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Vatican: Procession on St. Peter
« This pope was really important, » Caruso said, with her husband Roberto Vallone. « (Francis) has changed many things (…) Let’s hope his successor will continue with these changes and that there is no longer a return, » she said.
Catholic believers, whose arrival in Rome was already expected in large numbers for the Easter holidays and the Holy Year of the Catholic Church, will be allowed to pay his last honor until Friday night.
The funeral, which will bring US President Donald Trump and other world leaders to Rome will be held on Saturday morning. Italian authorities expect about 200,000 people.
« This is the first time I have come to pay tribute to the pope, » said Maria Russo, an Italian volunteer at the Bambino Ges Children’s Hospital in Rome.
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Numerous believers on St. Peter
She said she met Francis during the weekly audition at St. Peter’s Square last year and gave him a red clown nose. Medical staff puts a red nose to cheer your patients.
The movement of the pope’s body happened under the hot spring sun in Rome. The crowd watched the scene from the great Esplanade in St. Peter’s Square in front of the Basilica, as the bells gently ringing the male choir he sang.
Some pilgrims traveled to Rome on the expected ceremony of Francis’ proclamation of the first saint of the Millennium, which was to be held on Sunday, but has now been delayed indefinitely.
American pilgrim Sylvia Cantu Stewart said she came to see Carlo Acutis, who died of leukemia at the age of 15 in 2006, became a saint.
« Our plans have changed and we feel that God’s (plan) is what we are here, » said the pilgrim, adding that she felt « blessed » by this coincidence.
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Pope Francis’ body was moved Wednesday morning at St. Peter’s Basilica so that Catholic believers could give the last tribute before the funeral
Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is originally from Argentina and was the first pope from the Western hemisphere.
In front of the basilica were some of his Argentine compatriots. In 2013, Francis left his homeland to become the head of the Catholic Church and never visited her again.
« In recent years, he has not had such a close relationship with Argentina, » Argentine Sofia Solari said. « But we, my family, we understand him. Despite the fact that there may be those who are not happy in Argentina because he (stayed) far, » she added.
