As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, millions gather in St. Peter’s Square to pay their respects ahead of a funeral ceremony scheduled for Saturday.
As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, millions of pilgrims have flocked to St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, eager to pay their respects to the late pope. The public viewing of his body is set to begin on Wednesday, ahead of a funeral ceremony scheduled for Saturday.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, is the first Jesuit pope in history.
He was ordained as a priest in 1969 and served as a provincial superior for the Society of Jesus in Argentina.
Before becoming pope, he was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires from 1998 to 2013.
Francis is known for his progressive views on social justice and climate change.
He has implemented various reforms within the Catholic Church, including increased transparency and accountability.
Pope Francis was known for his compassionate nature and commitment to social justice. For Rosa del Carmen Esquivel Telles, a 55-year-old tourist from Guadalajara, Mexico, the pope’s passing is a personal loss. She had been diagnosed with leukemia in 2017 but has since made a remarkable recovery and traveled to the Vatican to express her gratitude.
‘It was a dream of mine to meet him,’ Esquivel Telles says, strolling through St. Peter’s Square with a rosary in hand. ‘But now we have to say goodbye.’
Faithful from around the world have gathered at the Vatican to pay their respects to Pope Francis. The atmosphere is somber, yet filled with hope and anticipation for the future of the Catholic Church.
‘He was a very caring father, and revolutionary pope,’ says María Muñoz, a 51-year-old tourist from Alicante, Spain. ‘He tried to change many things in a church that’s antiquated.’_
The funeral ceremony is set to take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. local time, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presiding over the service. In a break from tradition, Pope Francis’ last testament stipulates that his burial will not be in St. Peter’s Basilica but rather in the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
As the Catholic Church prepares to elect a new pope, debates are already underway about who will succeed Pope Francis. The acting head of the Vatican, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, is tasked with overseeing the conclave process, which is expected to take place within 15 to 20 days of the pope’s death.
The world watches with bated breath as the Catholic Church embarks on this new chapter, hoping that the next pope will continue to inspire and guide the faithful.
