Pope Francis I will be laid to rest with a heartfelt message celebrating the modest lifestyle he embraced during his 13-year tenure as the pontiff. The sudden passing of the Catholic Church’s esteemed leader at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, shortly after recovering from a severe case of double pneumonia at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, has evoked a wave of affection worldwide.
Vatican City officials disclosed that 200,000 individuals attended his funeral in the tiny state earlier today. During the service, Giovanni Battista Re, head of the College of Cardinals, paid tribute to his influential Pontificate that deeply touched minds and hearts. A document echoing similar sentiments about the “simple and beloved shepherd” will be interred with him later in the day.
The late Pope will be laid to rest in Santa Maria Maggiore, a central Rome basilica he frequented, in a wooden coffin lined with zinc. Before sealing the coffin last Friday, a one-page biographical tribute honoring the “simple and beloved shepherd” who identified with the common people was placed on his body.
The tribute highlighted his humble lifestyle, mentioning his use of public transportation, such as the subway and bus, and his practice of cooking his own meals to connect with everyday individuals. It also emphasized his enduring legacy of humanity and universal fatherhood, stating that he would forever hold a special place in the hearts of the Church and humanity.
The biographical account, sealed in a metal container with his body inside the zinc-lined coffin, featured his name, a cross, and two coats of arms – one personal and the other representing the papacy on the lid. Cardinal Re recited the tribute during the funeral service before the Pope was interred at the basilica, where he had a tradition of prayer stops.
In his final wishes, the Pope expressed a desire for his final resting place to be at the Marian sanctuary where he often prayed before and after each Apostolic Journey. He specifically requested his tomb to be located in the burial niche between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, emphasizing simplicity and bearing the inscription “Franciscus.”
The testament further conveyed his gratitude to those who loved him and continued to pray for him, offering his life’s struggles for world peace and unity among nations. The Pope’s testament underscored his faith and selflessness in dedicating his suffering to the greater good.
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