As the sun rose over St Peter’s Basilica, casting a soft orange glow across the square, the world stood still. The funeral of the Holy Father had begun.
In the heart of Rome, beneath the towering dome built upon the bones of St Peter, thousands of faithful gathered—clergy, religious, laity, pilgrims, and mourners from around the globe—united in grief and prayer. It was a solemn and historic liturgy, rich in tradition and steeped in meaning, as the Church commended the soul of her shepherd to God’s mercy.
The atmosphere was one of deep reverence. In the early hours, the square filled slowly as people quietly found their places, some praying the Rosary, others holding flags, photographs, or simple crucifixes. Despite the scale of the event, there was an intimacy to it—a shared sense that we were not witnessing a spectacle, but participating in a sacred act of farewell.
The Pope’s coffin, plain and wooden, was brought into the square and placed before the altar. It reminded the world that the Vicar of Christ is, at his heart, a servant. A man called to imitate the humility of Jesus, and now returned to the dust in the hope of resurrection. The funeral Mass, celebrated by cardinals and bishops from around the world, was marked by beautiful liturgy and prayerful silence. The Eucharist stood at the centre of it all.
This funeral was not only a moment of grief—it was a powerful testimony to Catholic faith. It reminded us that even in death, the Pope leads the Church. His final witness is one of surrender to the will of God, hope in eternal life, and trust in Christ, the Good Shepherd.
Let us continue to pray for the repose of the Pope’s soul, and for the Church he so faithfully led:
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
READ MORE: FAREWELL TO POPE FRANCIS: HONOURING HIS LEGACY AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE CHURCH
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