Farewell to Pope Francis: A Legacy of Compassion and Change

Pope Francis was eulogised as “a pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone” during a funeral mass that drew 400,000 mourners to Rome, including pilgrims, refugees, world leaders, and royalty. The 88-year-old pontiff passed away on Monday following a stroke and heart failure, triggering a series of time-honored rituals and a massive security operation reminiscent of John Paul II's funeral in 2005. As Francis’s wooden coffin was carried from St Peter’s Basilica, where it lay in state for three days, the crowd erupted into applause. Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re highlighted Francis’s compassion for immigrants, calls for peace, and urgent climate action during the service. The mass was attended by leaders from over 150 countries, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before the ceremony, and former President Joe Biden. More than 2,000 journalists reported on the 90-minute mass, celebrated by 220 cardinals and over 4,000 priests. Cardinal Re remarked on the profound impact Francis had on minds and hearts, recalling his final public appearance delivering a blessing on Easter Sunday. After the mass, Francis’s final journey was marked by cheers of “Papa Francesco!” as he traveled in a specially adapted popemobile towards his burial site at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. There, he received a final farewell from diverse groups, including prisoners and the homeless, before a private burial attended by family. In a departure from tradition, Francis’s coffin was entombed in a simple niche rather than the grand grottoes of St Peter’s Basilica, as per his wishes. The tomb will bear only his papal name, Franciscus, and will be open to the public starting Sunday. As the funeral concludes, speculation intensifies over his successor, with no clear frontrunner yet emerging. The nine days of mourning will begin Saturday, with the conclave to elect a new pope not expected before May 5. Many attendees, like Virginio and Anna Maria from Naples, expressed hopes that the next pope will continue Francis’s progressive legacy.