Pope Francis’s funeral mass commenced today in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, led by Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. The ceremony reflects the profound impact Pope Francis had on both the Catholic Church and the global community during his papacy. Dignitaries and admirers from around the world gathered to honor the beloved pontiff. Sitting between them were U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, flanked by thousands of other mourners.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis became well known for his compassion and humility. Mario and Regina Bergoglio, his parents, were from Portacomaro in Piedmont, northern Italy, and emigrated to Argentina in 1929. They fled from the incipient fascism of Benito Mussolini. This background context informed Pope Francis’s worldview and his personal commitment to social justice for life.
Today’s service is an important moment in history. Perhaps the best example of this phenomenon is world leaders gathering together to honor a pope who all the world recognizes as a voice for the marginalized. Cardinal Re celebrated the mass and really embodied the joy and spirit of Pope Francis’s ministry. He painted the Pope as “the people’s pope, the pope with an open heart to all people.”
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Pope Francis interacting with mourners
From mourners that filled St. Peter’s Square, they recalled how deeply the pontiff touched their lives. By Rosa Cirielli, a long-time disciple and friend. “He departed on a very dark time for this world. cried for peace over the noise of the others” and “the only one calling for peace to shout down.” Her words hit home with the thousands gathered. For most Ethiopians, it was hard enough to deal with the death of a leader who had given them hope and direction.
As much as it was a funeral procession, it was a show of force and a show of organized power. The Vatican sent in cutting-edge defensive measures, too. Both anti-drone weapons and high-tech jamming equipment were used to keep the mass secure from potential threats. Over 2,000 police officers patrolled the basilica and surrounding areas, indicative of the immense significance of this event.
Pope Francis’s path to this moment started long before, as a young man. At 17, he was going regularly to mass at San José de Flores, where a visiting priest, Enrique Pozzoli, had a profound impact on him. As we learned at a recent performance, the young Jorge first approached Pozzoli in confession after being inspired by one of his sermons. Such experiences were formative for his development into a spiritual leader.
At 21, Pope Francis was on the brink of death after contracting pneumonia. Doctors did not hold out much hope for his life, but he beat the odds. By the age of 33, he had already graduated with a philosophy degree from his native Buenos Aires’ Catholic University. His formative years were a mix of adversity and success, punctuated by a short-lived but toxic romance with Amalia Damonte.
Full surgery to remove part of his right lung had been a possibility since doctors discovered three cysts during routine exams, and Pope Francis made the decision on Friday. Through debilitating health challenges, he spent his life serving the public and fighting for others with a nonviolent commitment to peace.
As those international leaders and many more continued arriving at the Vatican today, their presence only magnified the global significance of Pope Francis. U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden touched down just after 7:00 this morning. They were followed in a tight race by former President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania. This gathering of political figures from around the world highlights the pope’s role as a unifying force in times of division.
During the mass, attendees could be found reciting traditional prayers and hymns that sang out in unison with Pope Francis’s call for care of creation. The entrance antiphon set a somber yet hopeful tone: “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.”
The funeral mass was an opportunity for one last reflection on Pope Francis’s legacy. Many mourners expressed their grief and appreciation for a leader who emphasized compassion and understanding across global divides.
Francis Campbell remarked on the dynamics at play during such an event. “There will be some potentially really interesting dynamics at the funeral,” acknowledging both the political implications and personal stories shared among attendees.