At the Basilica of Santa Maria Matzore, the afternoon of Saturday afternoon (26/4) after the funeral that lasted two hours and a quarter. Near the tomb of the deceased Pontiff is the Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary, in front of which he used to pray. Toddlers, refugees, immigrants, homeless and many other “Francis Friends” left a white flower in the temple. Crowds prayed in the historic center of Rome, along the six -kilometer route covered by the funeral procession. Great emotion, with prayers and prolonged applause.
400,000 faithful flooded the Vatican
“At least 400,000 people” attended Pope Francis’ funeral earlier today, including the faithful who gathered at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican and along the procession on the streets of Rome, the Italian interior minister said.
“Among the people who gave the present to St. Peter’s Square” for the functioning of “and those who attended the route” to the Basilica of Santa Maria Matzore, “we estimate the number to at least 400,000 people,” Matteo Piandozi said.
Dozens of international leaders were found in St. Peter’s Square. At 10:10 local time, the funeral of Pope Francis began in a crowded Square of St. Peter.
US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, European Commission President Ursula von Dero, were in the positions of the officials.
The Ecumenical Patriarch, the “brother in Christ” of the deceased Pontiff, sat, based on the Vatican protocol, very close to the coffin.
In the funeral sequence, Giovanni Batista, the older one of all the Cardinals, danced, with a simpler and shorter ritual than the past, according to the wishes of Pontiff.
‘Always stood by side of the weaker’
“I thank all the international leaders who show their love for the Pope,” Cardinal Giovanni Batista underlined in St. Peter’s Square.
“The work of the deceased modifika touched our hearts and thoughts. The last picture that will remain in our hearts is that of Easter, when he blessed the faithful and greeted the crowd from the jeep Pope Mobil, despite his health problems. He followed the example of the good shepherd, who loved his flock so much, who dedicated his life, “the Cardinal added.
As Giovanni Batista reached, “Francis wanted to stand by everyone, especially those in difficulty, spending all his energy on the poor and forgotten. It was full of humanity and also addressed those who are far from the church. ” Because “for the deceased Pontiff, the Church must constantly maintain its gates open to all.”
The older Cardinal referred with emphasis on the first trip of the Pope, after his election, on the island of Lampedusa “and then to his visit to Lesvos, along with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Hieronymus”.
Always in solidarity and the help of immigrants and refugees, because, as Francis used to say, “we all belong to the same human family and no one is saved alone.”
“Franciscan has always demanded peace, calling for an honest negotiation, because war is only death and destruction, it is always a defeat,” the Italian old cardinal.
At the funeral Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his wife Mareva
Christ the Rise Risen
Christ Risen Epsalis at St. Peter’s Basilica, shortly before the funeral of Pope Francis was completed.
This year Easter Catholics and Orthodox coincided, but this was also an indication and reference to Francis’ desire for a common Easter celebration.
Then followed the operation of anointed.
