More than 250,000 faithful gathered at St. Peter’s Square to attend the Funeral Mass for Pope Francis — a final opportunity to say goodbye to the Holy Father. His casket was placed prominently near the altar, with the Word of God laid upon it.
Amidst a crowd that had traveled from every corner of the world, in a truly multicultural atmosphere, our founder, Moysés Azevedo, represented the entire Shalom Community, which in these days mourns the loss of Pope Francis, “a father and friend” to the whole Shalom family.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, and was attended by cardinals, bishops, priests, lay faithful, and numerous religious leaders representing various Christian denominations — Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Evangelical, and Baptist churches, among others — as well as leaders from other world religions, including Buddhism and Hinduism, and political representatives from Islamic nations.
“HOLY FATHER, FROM HEAVEN, PRAY FOR THE CHURCH”
During his homily, Cardinal Re highlighted the main themes of the Holy Father’s Magisterium, especially his tireless efforts for peace throughout his apostolic journeys:
“In the face of so many wars over these years, with their inhuman horrors, countless deaths, and destruction, Pope Francis never ceased to raise his voice, pleading for peace and calling for common sense and honest negotiations to find possible solutions. He often said that war is nothing but death, the destruction of homes, hospitals, and schools. War always leaves the world worse off than it was before; it is a painful and tragic defeat for all. ‘Build bridges, not walls’ — this was a call he repeated time and again, and his service to the faith as successor of the Apostle Peter was always inseparable from his service to humanity in all its dimensions.”
Cardinal Re also recalled the Pope’s frequent request to the faithful: “Do not forget to pray for me.” With heartfelt emotion, he added:
“Dear Pope Francis, now we ask you to pray for us. From heaven, bless the Church, bless Rome, bless the whole world, just as you did last Sunday from the balcony of this Basilica in one final embrace to the People of God — and, ideally, to all humanity seeking truth with a sincere heart and keeping the torch of hope burning bright.”
Later, near the end of the Mass, the Eastern rite prayer of the Officio Defunctorum of the Byzantine Liturgy was held, performed by the patriarchs, major archbishops, and metropolitans of the Eastern Churches, with the sprinkling of holy water and incense over the Pope’s casket.
Afterward, amid applause, the body of the Holy Father was carried back into St. Peter’s Basilica and from there transferred to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where the remains of the Roman Pontiff will now rest.
Photos: Vatican Media
