Farewell to Pope Francis: tears, prayers and the last way of the shepherd

      One by one, they turned into a real human river and filled literally every inch of this tiny state. Someone was motivated by the desire to become a part of this historic event, and someone actually came to say goodbye to the Pope.

      Many volunteers, special services, police, military, emergency medical personnel, journalists, bloggers, Christian children's organizations, representatives of orders and congregations mingled in the crowd of people.

      To be in the center of the Mass, it was necessary to go through an airport security check: liquids and other suspicious and potentially dangerous objects and substances were searched and seized at the entrance.

      The funeral service and farewell to Pope Francis took about two hours. Someone couldn't stand it and fainted, and vigilant doctors and volunteers hurriedly carried the victims away on stretchers.

      By noon, they started distributing water for free.

      All this time, cardinals and representatives of the states spoke their farewell words.

      The Good Shepherd

      The funeral mass was led by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re. According to the official website of the Vatican, he was co—served by 980 church hierarchs - cardinals and bishops. A list of the Salus Populi Romani icon, especially revered by him, was installed next to the altar.

      During his long speech, Re recalled the touching last public appearance of Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, the last in his life. Although he suffered from illnesses, he nevertheless went out to the basilica's loggia to bless the world. He also went down to the square and greeted the faithful. This image will remain in memory: the Pope fulfills his pastoral ministry to the end, giving his last strength, the cardinal said.

      Poor Dad

      Re recalled that Pope Francis' love for the Lord was expressed in his tireless pastoral care for everyone, especially the suffering, the destitute, the forgotten, and the wounded.

      By adopting the name Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio immediately set the tone for the entire pontificate: poverty, simplicity, love of creation, and attention to everyone, especially the "least of the brothers."

      His words were vivid and imaginative, full of evangelical power and spiritual light. He knew how to touch hearts, give hope, encourage conversion and change of life, the cardinal said.

      And at that moment, in the crowd of 250,000 people, many could not stand it and sobbed. The cardinal continued and said: the pontificate of Pope Francis has become a landmark time of mercy, compassion, and spiritual closeness.

      In his sermons, letters, and gestures, he never tired of reminding us that God always forgives, and the Church must be a place of mercy, acceptance, and hope.

      The Holy Father liked to end his speeches with the words: "Do not forget to pray for me," the dean of the College of Cardinals recalled. And he concluded the sermon with the words:

      "Dear Pope Francis, now we ask You to pray for us, to bless the Church from heaven, to bless Rome, to bless the whole world — just as You did last Sunday from the balcony of this basilica, in a final embrace with the People of God and with all those who sincerely seek the truth and keep the light of hope.". At that moment, even the most persistent had tears in their eyes.

      The "body of Christ" was distributed to the faithful

      Prayers were said at the Mass in many languages, including Arabic and Chinese. And in order to give communion to the faithful, 225 bowls of Holy Communion were consecrated, which were offered to the faithful by more than four thousand priests with the words: "Sin Christi" (body of Christ).

      At the end of the Mass, the priests conducted the rites of final farewell. Cardinal Baldo Reina, Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome, delivered a Prayer request to the Roman Church. After him, Patriarch of Antioch Youssef Absi read a Prayer Petition from the Eastern Churches in Greek.

      At the end of the ceremony, Cardinal Re sprinkled the coffin with consecrated water and performed incense. Then, amid parting applause, the Pope's remains were transferred to the Basilica of St. Peter the Great. Peter, and from there, in a white papomobile, the coffin with Francis' body was escorted to the burial place: according to his will, he was laid to rest in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore on Esquiline Hill. By the way, five popes found their last refuge here, as well as Napoleon Bonaparte's sister Paulina, the Roman architect and sculptor Bernini. Francis was laid to rest, according to his last will, between the Paulina Chapel and the Sforza Chapel.