Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, requested a “simple” funeral in his will, embodying his legacy of humility. The Vatican has designated nine days for mourning, with hundreds of thousands of faithful expected to gather in St. Peter’s Square to pay their respects. On the second day, approximately 200,000 people, including many young pilgrims, attended a Mass led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who spoke of finding peace through Jesus Christ’s mercy during this sorrowful time.
The event coincided with the Jubilee of Teenagers, set for April 25-27, which attracted tens of thousands despite the need for some adjustments after Francis’s death. The planned sainthood ceremony for Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian boy praised for using technology to promote faith, was postponed. Many attendees, like 18-year-old Samuele Arregetti from Bergamo, expressed sadness over the pope’s passing but also joy in celebrating his life and legacy.
Cardinal Parolin emphasized the Church’s grief, paralleling it with the apostles’ despair following Jesus’ death, capturing the collective sense of loss felt by Catholics. He urged attendees to turn to faith during this challenging period, highlighting the profound impact Pope Francis had on his followers and the Church at large.
