Throngs assemble in Reykjavik to pay respects to Pope Francis
On a chilly Reykjavik night, Landakotskirkja Catholic Church was brimming with the townsfolk, assembling to pay their respects to the departed Pope Francis at the tender age of 88.
Turning the holy place into a melting pot of grief and solidarity, Bishop Dávid Tencer led the assembled clergy from the Reykjavik Diocese in a soulful tribute, offering up heartfelt prayers for the dearly departed Pope.
Notable attendees included Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Bishop Guðrún Karls Helgudóttir of the National Church, and President Halla Tómasdóttir, accompanied by her husband Björn Skúlason.
While President Tómasdóttir is set to join the global crowd bidding adieu to this cherished spiritual leader at the Vatican this coming Saturday, reports regarding her attendance at a local memorial Mass are ambiguous.
Though no official evidence of her presence at the service inside Landakotskirkja can be found, it's worth mentioning that other notable mass gatherings were well-represented by dignitaries. For instance, Mayor Eric Adams and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams attended a memorial Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan[1].
Upon the Pope's funeral in Rome, several world leaders have confirmed their attendance, among them, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Prince William on behalf of King Charles III[3]. Whether President Halla Tómasdóttir will be among them remains to be seen.
The news of President Halla Tómasdóttir's potential attendance at the local memorial Mass for the late Pope Francis was unclear. If she does attend, it would mirror the presence of notable leaders like Mayor Eric Adams and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan. On the other hand, several world leaders have confirmed their attendance at the Pope's funeral in Rome, such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Prince William on behalf of King Charles III. Despite the ambiguity, it's important to note that Landakotskirkja was well-represented by dignitaries during the tender tribute paid to the Pope.
