Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony began on Saturday afternoon Indian time. His funeral will take place in the iconic Baroque Plaza in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. Heads of state and their representatives from many countries, including US President Donald Trump, are attending it.
According to Vatican officials, about 2 lakh people have reached the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis. Also, more than 100 delegations have come together. This solemn and touching ceremony was presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, attended by some 250 cardinals, Patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, priests and devout religious.
“Despite his weakness and final suffering, Pope Francis chose to follow this path of self-surrender until the last day of his earthly life,” Cardinal Re said. The last image we have of him, which will remain etched in our memory, is that of Easter Sunday, when Pope Francis, despite his serious health problems, wanted to give us his blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.