The Vatican City buzzed with emotion as crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday to pay their last respects to Pope Francis, who passed away recently at the age of 89. The atmosphere was charged with reverence, as many attendees had camped out overnight, eager to honor a pontiff known for his deep compassion toward the marginalized.
As dawn broke, mourners adorned in various garb began to fill the square, including those in formal attire, and traditional clothing hailing from countries such as Poland and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Fervor erupted into applause during the funeral Mass as Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re acknowledged Pope Francis’ significant first pilgrimage to Lampedusa—an emblematic site of migrant arrivals in Italy.
Among the attendees were numerous world leaders, adorned in their ceremonial fineries, attesting to the global impact of the papacy. Yet it was the heartfelt words of ordinary citizens that rang truest. Virginia Munos Ramires, an El Salvador native, expressed the sentiments of many as she remembered the pope as a fatherly figure who championed the causes of migrants and marginalized communities worldwide.
In his moving homily, Cardinal Re emphasized Pope Francis’ selfless devotion, stating, "He was giving himself without measure, especially to the marginalized." This touching tribute encapsulated the spirit of a man who, throughout his papacy, endeavored to amplify the voices of those often overlooked by society.
As the service concluded, the palpable sorrow in the air stood juxtaposed with the celebration of a life dedicated to love and compassion, marking a historic moment in the legacy of the Catholic Church and the world.
