Paragraph 1: A Final Farewell to a Champion of the Poor
The world mourned the passing of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, in a poignant ceremony at St. Peter’s Square. Hundreds of thousands of mourners, joined by world leaders including US President Donald Trump, gathered to bid farewell to the beloved figure who championed the poor and strived for a more inclusive Catholic Church. The Vatican estimated a crowd of 400,000 people, filling the square and lining the streets of Rome to pay their respects. Following the solemn funeral, the pope’s simple wooden coffin, reflecting his life of humility, was transported to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major for a private interment. There, cardinals affixed red wax seals to the coffin before it was placed within a marble tomb inscribed simply with "Franciscus," his papal name in Latin.
Paragraph 2: A Pope Close to the People
The emotional impact of Francis’s death was palpable among those present. Maria Vicente, a Guatemalan pilgrim, wept as she witnessed the coffin being carried into Saint Mary Major, the pope’s cherished Roman church. She expressed her sadness, touched by the simplicity of his departure. Fourteen white-gloved pallbearers carried the coffin into the church as children laid flowers at the altar, accompanied by the solemn hymns of a choir. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who led the funeral service, described Francis as "a pope among the people, with an open heart," highlighting his dedication to creating a more compassionate and open Church. The crowd erupted in applause as the cardinal praised Francis’s belief that the Church should be a welcoming home for everyone.
Paragraph 3: A Legacy of Inclusion and Compassion
Francis’s 12-year papacy was marked by a concerted effort to foster greater inclusivity within the Church. This commitment resonated deeply with many, including Maria Mrula, a student from Germany who drove 16 hours to attend the funeral. She emphasized the pope’s inspiring dedication to serving the poor and emphasized the vibrancy of the Church under his leadership. To ensure the safety and security of the event, Italian and Vatican authorities implemented a comprehensive security operation, including fighter jets on standby and snipers positioned on rooftops surrounding the city-state. Cardinals in red robes and bishops in purple hats occupied one side of the altar in St. Peter’s Square, while world dignitaries sat opposite.
Paragraph 4: Mourning and a New Beginning
The funeral marked the commencement of nine days of official Vatican mourning for Pope Francis, who assumed the papacy in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Following the mourning period, cardinals under the age of 80 will convene to elect a new pope from among their ranks. Francis’s reforms, while welcomed by many, also drew criticism from traditionalists. Similarly, his outspokenness on issues such as migrant treatment and climate change sometimes ruffled the feathers of world leaders. Yet, his compassion and charisma earned him widespread admiration and respect globally. Cardinal Battista Re underscored Francis’s numerous appeals on behalf of refugees and displaced persons, including his inaugural papal trip to Lampedusa, an Italian island that has become a primary entry point for migrants crossing the Mediterranean, and his Mass celebrated at the US-Mexico border.
Paragraph 5: A Gathering of World Leaders
The funeral drew over 50 heads of state, including President Trump, who met with several world leaders, notably Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in their first face-to-face encounter since a previous Oval Office meeting. The White House described the meeting as "very productive." Kyiv released photographs of the two leaders, one showing them seated together in the basilica and another capturing Zelensky in conversation with Trump, British Labour leader Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron. Cardinal Battista Re’s homily highlighted Francis’s tireless calls for peace, emphasizing his advocacy for "reason and honest negotiation" in resolving global conflicts. The cardinal recalled Francis’s frequent exhortation to "build bridges, not walls." Other notable attendees included former US President Joe Biden, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. While Israel, which had faced criticism from Francis regarding its policies in Gaza, sent only its ambassador to the Holy See, China, lacking formal relations with the Vatican, did not send any representatives.
Paragraph 6: A Legacy of Humility and Service
An Italian mourner, Francesco Morello, praised the homily’s focus on peace as a "fitting, strong and beautiful message." Reflecting on the assembled world leaders, Morello observed that while Francis couldn’t unite them during his lifetime, he had achieved this in death. Francis, who died from a stroke and heart failure less than a month after a hospitalization for pneumonia, prioritized his connection with his flock, readily engaging with the faithful and making it his mission to visit marginalized communities. His final public act, an Easter Sunday blessing, epitomized his papacy’s focus on protecting the vulnerable. Choosing the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, he lived modestly in a Vatican guesthouse, advocating for a "poor Church for the poor." Catholics worldwide held events to watch the proceedings, including in Buenos Aires, Francis’s birthplace. Lara Amado, a resident of the Argentine capital, noted how the pope had demonstrated an alternative way of living the faith. Admirers credit Francis with transforming the Church’s image and revitalizing faith following decades of clerical sex abuse scandals. His progressive stances on several issues, including communion for divorced and remarried believers and blessings for same-sex couples, were seen as radical by some. However, he maintained traditional doctrines, including the Church’s opposition to abortion. Ultimately, Francis strived for a Church attentive to people’s struggles and the anxieties of the modern world – a Church capable of embracing and healing all individuals, regardless of their beliefs or circumstances.
