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With the strong sun illuminating St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis’ funeral brought together about 400,000 people among the faithful and world leaders on Saturday (25), altering the routine of Rome and conveying clear messages of peace and solidarity. Since dawn, queues have graduated around the square to secure a place in the farewell, which was marked not only by popular devotion, but also by a firm message from the church to the more than 50 heads of state present, including Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
More than 50 heads of state present, including Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva / Reproduction
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, responsible for the ceremony, praised the pontiff’s trajectory in the defense of refugees, the approach between religions and the appeal for world peace. In his homily, he pointed out that Francis always raised his voice against war and in favor of building bridges among peoples. The mass, which lasted about two hours, was accompanied directly by 250,000 people in the square and surroundings, while another 150,000 were waiting for the procession at historical points of the city, such as Colosseum.
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The political climate was also present: Trump and Zelensky, opponents on several occasions, have starred in a rare moment when they found themselves discreetly behind the scenes of the ceremony. Not to mention names, Cardinal stressed that “war is always a tragic defeat for everyone,” pointing to the current geopolitical scenario.
The political climate was also present: Trump and Zelensky, opponents on various occasions / reproduction
After the Mass, the coffin of Francis was placed in Paparmobile and traveled Rome in procession to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maior, where the Argentine Pope wished to be buried. Along the way, thousands of people, especially young people, clustered on the streets to say goodbye, waving flags and throw flowers. The movement for Rome stopped traffic, closed stores and united tourists and residents in the same tribute gesture.
The farewell began still in the previous days, when about 250,000 people paid their last honors during the wake. On Funeral Day, the touch of the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica and the applause of the crowd marked the exit of the coffin, with strong commotion among the gifts. Among them, Porto-Rican Lin Soto Osuna, who reported to the newspaper O Globo his emotion: “We are sad for the loss, but happy for the hope he left.”
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the Vatican / Reproduction
Known as “The Pope of the People,” Francis will be remembered for his open and humble posture. Its legacy includes the commitment to social justice, the protection of the environment and the struggle for the most vulnerable. During the homily, Cardinal Re reminded Francisco’s visit to the Mexico and the United States border, when he defended migrants and criticized the construction of walls, in direct counterpoint to Donald Trump policies.
The farewell began still in previous days, when about 250,000 people paid their latest honors during the wake / reproduction
Safety logistics was intense: readiness fighters, roofs and anti-stream signal blockers were called to protect the event. Despite the military apparatus, the mood between those present was of reverence and silence, interrupted only by the farewell songs and applause.
The funeral marks the beginning of the nine days of official mourning in the Vatican. After this period, the cardinals will meet for the conclave that will choose the new leader of the 1.4 billion Catholics. Francisco, who led the church since 2013 after the resignation of Bento XVI, died on the 21st due to heart failure and health complications aggravated by pneumonia and diabetes.
