Prince William and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria, attended Pope Francis’s funeral earlier today as world leaders gathered to say goodbye to the pontiff.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re Led The Service
William, the Prince of Wales, attended the service on behalf of King Charles, which falls in line with royal tradition, as in 2005, Charles was present at the funeral of Pope John Paul II, on his mother’s behalf, Queen Elizabeth II, when he was the Prince of Wales.
William’s wife, Kate Middelton, was noticeably absent. However, fans of the royal couple will be happy to know that April 29th is Prince William and Catherine’s 14th wedding anniversary. At that time, the Prince and Princess of Wales are set to travel to the Scottish Isles to celebrate.
Pope Francis, whose death was announced by the Vatican on Monday morning, passed away after suffering a stroke and heart failure. He was 88 years old.
Global leaders gathered in Rome today as thousands of mourners arrived at St. Peter’s Square to pay their respects. Francis was described as “the People’s Pope.” He held a more compassionate, open-minded belief system as the leader of the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, led the service. The Pope broke with tradition as he wished to be buried in the St. Mary Major Basilica, which is home to his favorite image of the Virgin Mary. The last Pope who requested burial outside of the Vatican was Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903.
It was the first time in more than 100 years that a Pope had not been buried at the Vatican. There was resounding applause when the Cardinal praised Pope Francis’s open-door policy. He had a fervent belief that the Church is home for all, with its doors always open.
Pope Francis Connected With Those “Far Away From The Church”
In what was hailed as Pope Francis’s final miracle, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump before the funeral, and they appeared to be involved in an intense discussion.
It was the first time the two world leaders had spoken since their epically disastrous meeting at the White House. In February, the meeting threatened to destroy diplomatic relations between the US and Ukraine. Francis made it no secret that he was opposed to the war in Ukraine.
In his final act of service, the Pope greeted the faithful on Easter Sunday. Blessing babies and listening to the stories of some of the people in attendance, which he loved.
The Pope defied his doctor’s advice and made his final public appearance. He enjoyed Easter dinner, and hours later, he was gone.
Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, hope, and embracing those who are different.
During the service, Cardinal Battista Re spoke of how His Holiness insisted on conducting the Easter blessing despite his ailing health.
He also spoke warmly about the Pope’s ability to connect with people, even those “far away from the church.” He aimed to build bridges and facilitate peace.
The obituary positioned in his coffin depicted how Francis was the 266th Pope and that he would “remain in the heart of the Church and of humanity.”
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