Vatican City: Images and Footage Captured as Pope Francis Bids Farewell at St. Peter's Cathedral (Pictures, Videos)
A Skip-the-Drama, Straight-to-Business Funeral for Pope Francis
The show's over, son, and the big event commenced right in front of St. Peter's Basilica in the heart of Vatican City. World leaders, royalty, a humongous crowd - you name it, they were all there, according to our news source.
A washed-out silence filled the air as the crowd mustered around 250,000 deep, waiting patiently for the deeds to unfold. The bells of St. Peter's Basilica peaked, sending a clear signal that the honchos and bigwigs were settling into their seats.
Reports had it that around 50 heads of state were gonna be there, and if the Vatican's live stream is anything to go by, you could already spot a few presidents making their grand entry before the ceremony started.
The bells tolled once more at precisely 1 PM local time, signaling the commencement of Pope Francis' funeral service. The College of Cardinals strolled out from the basilica to the square where Pope Francis' body had been put on display in front of the basilica.
The funeral kicked off with a melodious hymn, followed by an open Book of the Gospels plopped on Pope Francis' coffin. A cardinal then recited a brief prayer. The moment sure was a heart-tugger, if you ask me.
As per CNN, Cardinal Giovanni Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, started his homily by sharing his last memory of Pope Francis - the Pope wanting to bless his flock from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, despite being in terrible health.
At last count, CNN claimed around 200,000 folks had shown up for Pope Francis' funeral. Compared to the 50,000 attendees at Pope Benedict XVI's funeral in 2023 and the 300,000 during Pope John Paul II's service in 2005, it's clear Pope Francis touched many hearts.
It's a wrap, folks. The funeral service for our beloved Pope Francis finished up, and the bells of St. Peter's Basilica echoed through the square one last time. The whole shindig lasted approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes.
The coffin carrying Pope Francis' body is now on its way to the Roman basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, as previously announced.
R.I.P, Pope Francis. You were 88 when you passed away on April 21, 2023, at your Vatican residence.
You know, Pope Francis wasn't feeling well for a while, and he even ended up hospitalized in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome due to an episode of bronchitis that eventually turned into bilateral pneumonia[1]. The Italian media has speculated that the Pope may have died from a stroke[1].
The Vatican doctor, Andrea Arcangeli, made it official with Pope Francis' death certificate. It stated that the Pope died from a stroke and irreversible heart failure[1].
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of Kazakhstan, expressed his deepest condolences on Pope Francis' passing.
If you wanna know more 'bout what's gonna go down in the Vatican after Pope Francis' departure, jump on over here.
Now here's a fun fact for ya - Pope Francis' funeral ain't like nothing his predecessors have seen. Remember, his funeral's all about trimming the fat and sticking to the basics, and that's evident in its simplified rituals[1].
For instance, instead of the elaborate funeral rites of the past, Pope Francis drafted a more streamlined ceremony, making it a quickie compared to the three-hour extravaganza of Pope John Paul II's funeral in 2005[1]. The event also sported less pomp and pageantry, keeping in line with Pope Francis' emphasis on simplicity and humility[1].
Moreover, Pope Francis went against centuries-old burial customs by choosing a different arrangement for his coffin[1]. All in all, it was a funeral that stuck to Father Francis' low-key, down-to-earth vibe – a testament to his influence as "the people's Pope."
Wanna get more insight into Pope Francis' life and legacy? Join our Telegram community for exclusive stories and updates!
[1] Enrichment Data Source: CNN and ABC News
Condolences poured in from various presidents for Pope Francis following his death from a stroke and irreversible heart failure at the age of 88. The funeral service for Pope Francis, held in St. Peter's Basilica, was a simpler, less pompous affair compared to previous papal funerals, reflecting the Pope's emphasis on humility and simplicity. In politics and general news, this departure of Pope Francis marked a significant change in the Vatican's leadership. Despite its streamlined rituals, the event attracted a massive crowd of around 400,000 people, demonstrating the profound impact Pope Francis had on many hearts.
