Over 200,000 people from across the world have attended the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. Watch the funeral and internment live-streamed here:
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, in his homily, said the late Pope’s 12 years of Petrine ministry had been characterised by his style of closeness to the people and the spontaneity of his gestures until the end of his life – but most importantly, the deep love he had for the Church. The Cardinal said that he was a Pope who “touched hearts and minds.”
“Spiritually united with all of Christianity, we are here in large numbers to pray for Pope Francis, that God may welcome him into the immensity of His love,” the Cardinal said.
Highlighting the last public appearance of the Pope on Easter Sunday, he said: “The final image we have of him, which will remain etched in our memory, is that of last Sunday, Easter Sunday, when Pope Francis, despite his serious health problems, wanted to give us his blessing from the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica. He then came down to this Square to greet the large crowd gathered for the Easter Mass while riding in the open-top Popemobile.”
“The final image we have of him, which will remain etched in our memory, is that of last Sunday, Easter Sunday, when Pope Francis, despite his serious health problems, wanted to give us his blessing from the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica. He then came down to this Square to greet the large crowd gathered for the Easter Mass while riding in the open-top Popemobile.”
Pope Francis was described as a simple but popular pastor in his native Argentina, preferring to travel through the city of Buenos Aires by metro.
Cardinal Re also spoke about the Pope’s emphasis on mercy, centring on his declaration of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2016, and his advocacy for a “culture of encounter” against the what he described as the prevailing “throwaway culture.”
Cardinal Re finished his homily with the familiar words of Pope Francis, who often told those who met him, “Do not forget to pray for me.”
“Pope Francis used to conclude his speeches and personal encounters by saying, ‘Do not forget to pray for me.’
“Now, dear Pope Francis, we ask you to pray for us. May you bless the Church, bless Rome, and we ask you to bless the whole world from heaven as you did last Sunday from the balcony of this Basilica in a final embrace with all the people of God, but also with the whole of humanity, with that humanity that seeks the truth with a sincere heart and holds high the torch of hope.”