Massive crowds gathered in Rome on Saturday to bid a heartfelt farewell to Pope Francis, whose Requiem Mass marked the conclusion of his extraordinary 12-year pontificate. The mourners, numbering over 250,000 at St. Peter’s Square and its surrounding areas, represented a cross-section of society united by their grief and respect for the beloved pontiff. An additional 150,000 lined the streets as his coffin was solemnly carried in procession to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he was laid to rest.
The Requiem Mass, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, was a deeply spiritual and poignant event. Joining Cardinal Re were 250 religious leaders, including Cardinals, Patriarchs, Archbishops, and Bishops, alongside global dignitaries from 164 countries. In his homily, Cardinal Re paid tribute to Pope Francis’s remarkable legacy, describing him as a “Pope among the people” whose dedication to a Church open to all, as well as his unwavering closeness to marginalized communities, defined his papacy.
The homily underscored Pope Francis’s bold initiatives in addressing modern challenges, such as his global advocacy for peace, environmental sustainability, and human fraternity. His commitment to evangelization—epitomized by his Apostolic Exhortation *Evangelii Gaudium*—and his vision of the Church as a “field hospital” were celebrated. Cardinal Re also highlighted the late Pope’s relentless outreach to migrants, refugees, and the impoverished, alongside his tireless efforts to inspire young people.
One particularly moving moment recalled during the Mass was Pope Francis’s final public appearance on Easter Sunday, when he blessed the faithful despite significant health challenges. This act of devotion deeply resonated with the congregation, drawing applause as a testament to his enduring dedication.
The funeral, simplified at Pope Francis’s request, was preceded by three days of lying in state, during which over 250,000 mourners paid their respects. As the coffin was carried out of the basilica, the crowd erupted in applause, symbolizing their appreciation and love for a leader who touched millions of hearts. The late Pope’s burial in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, near a revered icon of the Madonna, broke tradition as the first papal burial outside the Vatican in over a century.
Throughout Rome and beyond, the emotional reactions of the crowds mirrored the profound connection Pope Francis had fostered worldwide. Vigils in his homeland of Argentina saw tearful tributes and large gatherings, exemplifying the global impact of his leadership.
As the Mass concluded, Cardinal Re addressed the late Pope, saying, “Dear Francis, we now ask you to pray for us. May you bless the Church, bless Rome, and bless the whole world from heaven.” This heartfelt appeal encapsulated the enduring legacy of a Pope whose love, empathy, and visionary leadership will be remembered for generations.
The full video of the solemn Requiem Mass for the Pope Francis can be viewed below.
Pope Francis was not as much a conservative religious zealot as many of his predecessors. He showed a more humanistic side of Catholicism.
That being said, I abhor the Catholic Church for owning slaves, for the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of indigenous children, the sodomy of so many innocent boys. The hierarchy of the church, in my opinion, has never sincerely and profoundly being penitent about its sordid past.
You pretentious virtual signaling @ss, if slavery was in fashion again your type would be the first to sign up to dominate another human being. Always selfishly pointing the finger and being last to take the blame.
All you can do is plaster your comments on every article to make pretend that you better than everybody and act like an expert on everything.
But, regardless of the messenger, by your inability to disagree with what’s said points to the brainwashing, you admit it’s truth stated but you dere already and know nothing better. This is very sad of our education systems skewed towards this model of abusive european religious domination.
The guy was a Jesuit, from Argentina of all anti-black racist places. Just look up Jesuits and you’ll stop following white people cults/religions blindly, know their track record.
They are known to be responsible for technically starting many devastating wars, supervised the slave trade on behalf of the church, harems of women, little boys and girls for the same slavers when they arrive for the carnage. Look it up.
They started paying reparations to 4000 descendants of 242 African People they sold to pay the debt of Georgetown university, Brown U has done the same. We can go on, but it’s high time to stop following European and Arab religious zealots blindly. Find your African roots, they are there if you try.