Abb Takk News
VATICAN CITY: Presidents, royalty and simple mourners bade farewell to Pope Francis on Saturday at a solemn funeral ceremony, where a cardinal appealed for the pontiff’s legacy of caring for migrants, the downtrodden and the environment to be kept alive.
US President Donald Trump sat with the rows of foreign dignitaries on one side of Francis’ coffin in the vast St Peter’s Square.The Argentine pope, who reigned for 12 years, died at the age of 88 on Monday after suffering a stroke. “Rich in human warmth and deeply sensitive to today’s challenges, Pope Francis truly shared the anxieties, sufferings and hopes of this time,” said Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who presided over the funeral Mass. In spiritual language, the 91-year-old Re gave a simple message: there was no going back. The first pontiff from Latin America had been “attentive to the signs of the times and what the Holy Spirit was awakening in the Church,” he said. Francis repeatedly called for an end to conflict during his papacy. His funeral provided an opportunity for Trump, who is pushing for a deal to end Russia’s war with Ukraine, to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy inside St Peter’s Basilica. Applause rang out as Francis’ coffin, inlaid with a large cross, was brought out of the basilica and into the sun-filled square by 14 white-gloved pallbearers at the start of the Mass. The Vatican estimated more than 250,000 people attended the ceremony, cramming the square and the roads around. The crowds clapped loudly again at the end of the service when the ushers picked up the casket and tilted it slightly so more people could see. Aerial views of the Vatican showed a patchwork of colours — black from the dark garb of the world’s leaders, red from the vestments of some 250 cardinals, the purple worn by some of the 400 bishops and the white worn by 4,000 attending priests. After the funeral, as the great bells of St Peter’s pealed in mourning, the coffin was placed on an open-topped popemobile and driven through the heart of Rome to St Mary Major Basilica. Francis, who shunned much of the pomp and privilege of the papacy, had asked to be buried there rather than in St Peter’s — the first time a pope had been laid to rest outside the Vatican in more than a century.The popemobile left the Vatican from the Perugino Gate, a side entrance just yards away from the Santa Marta guesthouse where Francis had chosen to live, instead of the ornate Renaissance apartments in the papal palace. Crowds estimated by police as numbering some 150,000 lined the 5.5-km route to St Mary Major. The scene resembled many popemobile rides Francis took in his 47 trips to all corners of the world. Some in the crowd waved signs and others threw flowers towards the casket. They shouted “viva il papa” and “ciao, Francesco” as the procession made its way around Rome’s ancient monuments, including the Colosseum.Five people killed in shooting incident in PeshawarHamas official says group open to freeing hostages, five-year truce in Gaza
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Vatican Cardinals meet to plan Pope Francis’ funeral, conclaveVatican Cardinals meet to plan Pope Francis’ funeral, conclave
Read more »
The world leaders set to attend Pope Francis's funeralNumerous world leaders have announced they will travel to Rome for Pope Francis's funeral on Saturday, which is expected to draw a huge crowd in the square in front of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Here is a list of the expected VIP guests. Americas US President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, will attend.
Read more »
Crowds bid farewell to Pope Francis in first day of lying in stateTens of thousands of mourners paid last respects to Pope Francis at St Peter's Basilica Wednesday, on the first of three days of lying in state for the head of the world's Catholics. Pilgrims and tourists queued for hours to file past the open coffin of the Argentine pontiff, who died on Monday aged 88.
Read more »
World leaders prepare to gather in Rome for Pope Francis’s funeralAbb Takk News
Read more »
What to know about the funeral and burial of Pope FrancisPope Francis had a 12-year papacy during which he charmed the world with his humility
Read more »
Pope Francis laid to rest in historic funeral at St Peter’s SquarePope Francis laid to rest in historic funeral at St Peter’s Square
Read more »