Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrel, right, asperges the body of late Pope Francis with holy water before closing his casket in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Friday, April 25, 2025. (Vatican Media)
By Open Chronicle Editorial Team with Agencies
Published April 25, 2025
VATICAN CITY (AP) – In an emotional tribute to Pope Francis, over 250,000 mourners gathered over the past three days to pay their respects at the Vatican ahead of the pope’s state funeral. The outpouring of grief and reverence was felt across the world as ordinary citizens, church leaders, and political figures lined up in St. Peter’s Square to honor a pontiff whose life and leadership touched millions.
Pope Francis, who passed away on April 22, at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke, left behind a legacy of humility, advocacy for the poor, and tireless work in advancing peace and social justice. His simple and personal approach to the papacy, as well as his connection to the marginalized, drew mourners from across the globe. His final moments before being laid to rest in St. Mary Major Basilica were marked by tributes from those whose lives he had touched, including heads of state, royalty, and ordinary people who felt a deep personal connection to him.
A Final Farewell
The Vatican had extended its hours of public viewing due to the high turnout of mourners, many of whom waited in line for hours to bid farewell to the beloved pontiff. A nun, Angele Bilegue, was one of the last mourners to visit his open coffin, describing him as a dear friend. “I cried,” she said, reflecting on the profound impact Pope Francis had on her life.
On the final day of the viewing, the pope was laid out in his red robes, with a bishop’s pointed miter and a rosary entwined in his hands. His well-worn black shoes, scuffed at the toes, became symbolic of the humble life he lived and the simple man he remained, despite the grandeur of his papacy.
A Life Remembered: The Rogito
A special rogito, a document summarizing Pope Francis’s life and papacy, was placed in his coffin. The account outlined his journey from his humble beginnings in Argentina as the son of Italian immigrants to his rise through the ranks of the Catholic Church to become Archbishop of Buenos Aires and eventually Pope. It also highlighted his tireless defense of innocents, his influential encyclicals, and his personal struggles with illness.
The rogito included a touching account of his time as an archbishop, noting that he lived simply in an apartment and prepared dinner alone, symbolizing his commitment to remaining connected to ordinary people, far removed from the trappings of wealth and power.
Personal Tributes: A Grandfather Figure and a Request for Forgiveness
Among the mourners were Aurelia Ballarini and Francesca Codato, two women who had very personal reasons for attending the viewing. For Ballarini, the loss of the pope was akin to losing a grandfather figure. “He gave everything, all of himself,” she said, noting that she had spent the past two days crying, unable to come to terms with his passing. “One day, we will see each other again,” she said, speaking of the emotional connection she felt with the pope.
Codato, on the other hand, sought forgiveness. She admitted that she had once forsaken Pope Francis in favor of devotion to his predecessor, St. John Paul II, but now saw the extraordinary humanity in Francis. “I feel guilty,” she said, “because I’ve seen that he was a man of enormous humanity, close to simple people.” Her visit was a deeply personal act of repentance and healing.
The Conclave and Future of the Papacy
The selection of a new pope will not begin until May 5, after the nine days of public mourning are completed. In the meantime, 149 cardinals have gathered in Rome for preliminary discussions about the future of the Church. Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo, who hosted Francis during his last papal trip to Corsica, described Francis as “a free man who humanized the church without desacralizing it.” However, the cardinals have yet to begin the conclave process, with more discussions expected next week.
A Humble and Private Burial
In line with Pope Francis’s wish to embrace the marginalized, a group of poor and needy individuals will be among the first to pay their respects when his coffin arrives at St. Mary Major Basilica for burial on Saturday. His tomb, prepared behind a wooden barrier within the basilica, will be near an icon of the Madonna, which Pope Francis often prayed before. The burial will take place in private, with only a select group in attendance, as per his final wishes.
The tombstone is simple, engraved with his name in Latin: “Franciscus” — a testament to his unpretentious nature, even in death.
Security and Dignitaries: A Global Farewell
More than 2,500 police officers and 1,500 soldiers have been deployed to secure the funeral and ensure the safety of the estimated 200,000 mourners expected to gather in St. Peter’s Square and along the 4-kilometer route from the Vatican to the basilica. The security operation is extensive, with a naval vessel stationed off the coast and fighter jets on standby.
Among the world leaders attending the funeral are U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Other dignitaries include Prince William, King Felipe VI of Spain, and French President Emmanuel Macron, among many others.
A Legacy of Simplicity and Compassion
Pope Francis’s death marks the end of an era for the Catholic Church, but his influence is expected to reverberate for generations. His embrace of the poor, his commitment to interfaith dialogue, and his challenge to the church’s conventional practices will forever be part of his enduring legacy.
As the world says goodbye to a man of humble beginnings who rose to lead the global Catholic community, his death and funeral have become a moment of reflection for the faithful and non-faithful alike, leaving behind a powerful legacy of compassion, simplicity, and service to others.
Open Chronicle will continue to provide updates on the conclave process and the funeral arrangements as the world pays its final respects to Pope Francis.
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