After the casket bearing Pope Francis’ body was placed in St. Peter’s Basilica, tens of thousands of mourners lined up to pay their respects.
Pope Francis
Pope Francis’ Last Words: Pontiff Thanks Nurse for Taking Him to St. Peter’s Square One Last Time
Pope Francis’ final moments were peaceful, and he managed to give one last farewell to his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, before slipping into a coma early April 21, Vatican News reported.
Prayer, Pilgrims Accompany Pope Francis’ Body to St. Peter’s Basilica
Thousands of people had made an early morning pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Square April 23 to witness the transfer and pray for the late pope; they erupted in applause when his body, in an open casket, reached the square and again when it reached the top of the basilica steps.
Pope’s Funeral Set for April 26, Public Viewing April 23-25
The funeral Mass of Pope Francis will be celebrated April 26 in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican announced.
A Papal First: Pope Visits Arab Peninsula to Promote Interfaith Relations
Among the many trips Pope Francis took after he was elected to the papacy in 2013, his historic first visit to the Arabian Peninsula was a landmark journey. He was the first pope to visit the region and meet with leaders from different religious backgrounds for an interfaith summit.
Pope Prioritized Challenging Just War Doctrine Amid Many Global Conflicts
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis was an outspoken critic of war and cautioned against abusing the “just war” theory detailed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Papal Travel: A 291,000-Mile Journey of Faith and Solidarity
It’s not known if Pope Francis ever suffered from jet lag, but the Holy Father logged a lot of air miles during his papacy, traveling to dozens of countries to spread the message of Jesus Christ’s love of mankind.
Pope Francis Initiated Unprecedented Synod to Unite Catholic Voices Worldwide
Pope Francis’ Synod on Sydonality was a four-year undertaking that included dialogue and listening sessions between Catholic bishops, religious, and laity at the local, national, and international levels.
Through Writings Pope Francis Was Champion of Fraternity and Environmentalism
Since the publication of his first book in 1982, Jorge Mario Bergoglio wrote prolifically about brotherly love, human dignity, social justice, environmentalism, and the role of the Roman Catholic Church in turbulent times.
Pontiff’s Faithful Affinity for World Youth Day Throughout His Papacy
Since attending World Youth Day for the first time as pope in 2013, Pope Francis encouraged young people to invite God into their lives and go forward as Christ’s disciples.