World says goodbye to Pope Francis as he concludes his papacy in Rome
Pope Francis' funeral was a solemn affair, marking the end of a 12-year papacy that shook the Catholic Church to its core. World leaders, including US President Donald Trump, gathered in St. Peter's Square to bid adieu to the Argentine pontiff who championed migrants, the downtrodden, and environmental issues.
The funeral was a testament to Francis' legacy, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re appealing for his compassionate message to live on. The global reach of the Catholic Church was evident as hymns were sung in Latin, prayers recited in various languages, and people gathered from all corners of the world.
As the procession made its way around Rome's historic monuments, a sense of camaraderie filled the air. The pope's coffin was carried in an open-topped popemobile, and well-wishers lined the streets, waving signs, throwing flowers, and chanting "viva il papa" and "ciao, Francesco."
Among the attendees was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom Trump reportedly had a brief meeting with during the funeral. The encounter comes at a critical time as Trump is pushing for a deal to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The conclave to select Francis' successor is imminent, with several cardinals emerging as likely candidates. Among them are Cardinal Pietro Parolin, known for his diplomatic skills and understanding of the Vatican's inner workings; Cardinal Péter Erdő, a traditionalist who is respected by both liberals and conservatives; and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, a liberal frontrunner often dubbed "Francis 2."
The upcoming conclave is shrouded in secrecy, with cardinals set to meet regularly to assess each other and the state of the Church, which is currently grappling with financial problems and ideological divisions. The real challenge lies in finding a successor who can live up to Francis' legacy and guide the Church into a new era.
As attention turns to the conclave, Francis' simple wooden coffin stands resolute, its iron-plated cross hanging above the marble slab. Inscribed on the top is just "Franciscus," a testament to the humility and humanity that defined the pontiff's life and reign.
References:[1] The Guardian: "Pope Francis dead: the obituaries"[2] Reuters: "Analysis: The race is on to pick Pope Francis’ successor"[3] The New York Times: "Contenders for Pope Francis’ Successor Begin to Make Their Moves"
Mourners from around the world gathered to pay their respects, chanting "viva il papa" and "ciao, Francesco," as they lined the streets, throwing flowers over the pope's coffin, which was carried in an open-topped popemobile. Despite the unlikely setting of politics, world leaders, including President Donald Trump, were present at the funeral, potentially heralding a new shift in global affairs. As the conclave to select Francis' successor commences, it remains uncertain whether his successor will reshape the Church in terms of its financial problems, ideological divisions, or missionary endeavors, or if they will uphold his legacy and continue to focus on the downtrodden, migrants, and environmental issues.
