A Rainbow of World Leaders in Rome for Pope Francis' Farewell
Farewell Addresses Delivered by Stocker and Van der Bellen Toward Pope Francis
Rome was buzzing with global leaders as the city prepared for Pope Francis' memorial service on a weekend that promised a poignant send-off for the beloved Pope. The airports of Fiumicino and Ciampino were a hive of activity, welcoming heads of state, government officials, and cardinals.
The Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, Ignatius Aphrem II, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, and the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, were among the early arrivals in the Eternal City. The scene was set for a grand spectacle, with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway, and Grand Duke Henry of Luxembourg also scheduled to join.
The Austrian delegation, led by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP), was a significant part of the gathering. Several Austrian bishops, including the Archbishop of Salzburg, Franz Lackner, chairman of the Austrian Bishop's Conference, were present, adding to the religious fervor.
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, speaking before the memorial service, shared, "Pope Francis always reminded us that true strength lies in serving the weakest. May he rest in peace. Buon viaggio, Papa Francesco. And thank you. For me, the name Francis will always stand for closeness and humanity. He was an impressive personality. During my two official visits to the Vatican, I experienced him as an interested, intellectual, and attentive person. His spirituality was also palpable."
Chancellor Christian Stocker added, "The death of Pope Francis is a painful loss for the Catholic Church and believers in Austria and around the world. I am taking my leave in Rome of a special person who will be remembered for his service to the weakest in society and his tireless commitment to tolerance, peace, and justice. May he rest in peace."
With preparations for the large memorial service underway, Rome gear up for a state of emergency, expecting hundreds of thousands at the funeral. The highest security measures were in place, with over 1,000 police officers deployed by the Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi to ensure the safety of the 170 delegations in Rome.
Enable Solidarity Trains: More Seats for Pilgrims
Train traffic to Rome was intensified for the funeral, with high-speed trains offering around 110,000 seats per day, and additional regional connections with a total of 150,000 seats per day organized. Charter trains were also available for pilgrims, ensuring a smooth journey for the thousands expected to attend the ceremonies.
As a gesture of goodwill, Trenitalia, the railway company, deployed an additional 300 staff at all Rome stations to ensure better passenger care and quick intervention if needed. Travelers arriving in Rome individually or in groups until Sunday would receive a 40% discount on the base fare.
St. Peter's Basilica remained open overnight on Thursday, allowing the faithful to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis. People waited for hours to reach the coffin of the Argentine pontiff. The basilica was open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Friday, after which the coffin was sealed in a solemn ceremony at 8:00 PM. The burial was scheduled for the following day.
Prolonged Vigil: Thousands Line Up to Bid Farewell
Originally, the Holy See had planned to open St. Peter's Basilica only until midnight on Thursday. However, due to the large influx of people, the responsible authorities decided to let people into the basilica even after midnight. St. Peter's Basilica closed at 2:30 AM and reopened at 5:40 AM. A livestream from the basilica showed that people were still being let in until the early hours of the morning, who had previously waited for hours for admission. Since Wednesday, 128,000 people had paid their respects to the Pope, the Vatican announced.
Meanwhile, the cardinals were gathering in Rome to elect a new head of the Catholic Church following the death of Pope Francis. They were meeting for a fourth official meeting on Friday since Francis' passing, discussing the Pope's burial on Saturday and the conclave for the election of a successor to Francis. The conclave to elect the new Pope was expected to begin in early May, again in the Sistine Chapel. The cardinals were engrossed in discussions about the upcoming conclave, with the media eagerly awaiting updates about the exact start of the papal election.
The political landscape of Rome was further enriched as global leaders engaged in speculation about the upcoming election of a new Pope, with the conclave set to begin in early May. The general news was abuzz with anticipation, as the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, and other high-profile figures discussed the potential impact of the new Pope on international politics.
With the Pope's burial scheduled for the following day, the political and religious spheres intertwined, as cardinals politically maneuvered to strategize for the decisive vote, while the faithful paid their respects to the late Pope, adding a touch of spirituality to the political proceedings.
