VATICAN CITY. Royal figures, world leaders, and hundreds of thousands of mourners are expected to converge at St. Peter’s Square on Saturday to bid farewell to Pope Francis in a funeral that reflects both his profound influence and his desire for simplicity.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, a 91-year-old Italian prelate, will preside over the funeral Mass, which will begin at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT). Pope Francis, who led the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years, passed away after a papacy marked by compassion, bold reforms, and occasional controversy.
The Vatican confirmed that representatives from over 150 countries will attend, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who often disagreed with Francis over issues such as immigration. Other attendees include the presidents of Argentina, France, Gabon, Germany, Italy, the Philippines, Poland, and Ukraine, along with the prime ministers of Britain and New Zealand. European royals are also expected to join the global delegation.
In the past three days, approximately 250,000 people viewed the Pope’s body as it lay in state inside the majestic 16th-century St. Peter’s Basilica. On Saturday, his casket will be carried out through the basilica’s main doors into the square, where mourners will fill the cobblestone esplanade and the Via della Conciliazione.
A formal Latin summary of Pope Francis’ papacy placed beside his body read: “Francis left everyone a wonderful testimony of humanity, of a holy life and of universal fatherhood.”
As the first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years, Pope Francis championed the poor and marginalized, and boldly challenged affluent nations to respond to the migrant crisis and climate change. However, his reformist agenda met resistance from traditionalists within the Church, particularly in his efforts to promote transparency and curtail opulence.
A Final Act of Simplicity
True to his lifelong commitment to humility, Pope Francis opted for a stripped-down funeral and burial. Unlike the elaborate, multi-casket interments of his predecessors, such as Pope John Paul II’s three-hour funeral, Saturday’s ceremony will last just 90 minutes.
He also rejected the centuries-old tradition of being entombed in three nested coffins made of cypress, lead, and oak. Instead, he was laid in a single zinc-lined wooden casket, which was sealed overnight.
In a break with Vatican custom, Francis will be buried not within the Holy See, but at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, about four kilometers from St. Peter’s. His tomb bears only a simple inscription: “Franciscus.” Above it hangs a replica of the modest, iron-plated cross he wore during his papacy.
The late pope’s funeral motorcade will pass through Rome one final time, giving the public a last opportunity to say goodbye. Italian authorities have launched an extensive security operation, closing city airspace and deploying anti-aircraft systems and patrol boats in one of the largest security mobilizations since the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005.
As Pope Francis is laid to rest, focus will shift to the election of his successor. The conclave of cardinals, cloaked in secrecy, may begin as early as May 6, though initial meetings are expected to occur before voting starts. Cardinals will assess the Church’s future direction, which remains mired in financial strain and internal division.
Pope Francis’ papacy may have ended, but his legacy, marked by humility, courage, and a call for unity, will continue to shape the Church and the world beyond.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
