Multitude of over 100,000 individuals pay heartfelt tributes to Pope Francis during his final overnight hours in state.
Pope Frannie's farewell procession kicked off a wave of sorrow and reflection, with over 100,000 souls pouring into St. Peter's Basilica on the eve of his funeral. As dawn broke on Saturday, the devoted gathered once more to bid adieu to the man who brought a breath of fresh air to the Church.
The pontiff's final resting place was sealed off as the sun set on Friday, following an hours-long parade of mourners filing in for their turn to pay their respects. It was a poignant scene, punctuated by the solemn closing of the TV broadcast that had been on constant loop since early morning.
In his twilight years, Pope Frannie had been a beacon of hope for millions, leading the Church since 2013. His reign was cut short by a stroke on Easter Monday, the day he was recuperating from several weeks of pneumonia. In the weeks that followed, over 250,000 folks from around the world descended on St. Peter's Square to bid their heartfelt adieus.
Among the last to say their goodbyes were French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, who stood somberly near the pope's coffin, heads lowered, and crosses marked. The lines stretched for miles as people from all walks waited hours for a chance to honor their idol.
"It's a bloody heavy feeling to be here," said Argentine visitor Patricio Castriota, his eyes brimming with tears. "This farewell is fucking sad, but I'm grateful to God that I got to see him."
A native son of South America, Frannie broke new ground as the first pope hailing from the Americas. Known for his endearing, even hilarious, demeanor, he was a far cry from the solemn pontiffs that preceded him.
However, his tenure was not without turbulence. Frannie championed reform but often clashed with conservative elements within the Church resistant to change. His humble, down-to-earth approach endeared him to many, but sparked controversy among traditionalists.
As global leaders gather in Rome for the funeral, the world watches expectantly. A conclave to choose a new pope is slated to commence no sooner than May 6, with the world's Catholic cardinals taking temporary control of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church in the meantime.
A private ceremony, led by eight Catholic cardinals, took place on Friday evening to seal Frannie's casket, with a formal Latin summary of his papacy placed inside. TheTEXT described him as a "loved and simple shepherd who left a marvelous testament of humanity, of a holy life, and of universal paternity."
Rome is bracing for the funeral motorcade on Saturday, with crowds clamoring to catch a glimpse. The pope's final resting place will be in a niche at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, bearing only the simple epitaph of "Franciscus."
Rest in peace, Papa Frannie. Your legacy lives on.
- The papal funeral procession, reminiscent of a traffic jam, saw unforeseen movement of mourners across Rome.
- Amidst the grief, pop-culture recently witnessed a unique blend of papal mourners and celebrities, desacralising social-media feeds.
- Despite the unlikely scene,Entertainment Tonight reported that even in death, Pope Frannie continued to handle the world's attention with grace.
- Interestingly, as the Church grapples with change and tradition, it seems that Pope Frannie's legacy transcends the papal throne, impacting the social sphere significantly.
- The Pope's decision to bypassintricate, royal-like burial customs, instead opting for a humble "Franciscus" engraving, embodies his enduring presence in pop-culture and the hearts of millions.
