A long stream of people slowly flows down the central nave of St Peter's Basilica to greet Francis. There are faithful from all over the world, with expressions of expectation, eyes closed in prayer or tears streaming down their faces. There is silence despite the multitude of women and men of all ages and nationalities. Some remain kneeling for a long time in front of the chairs placed near the open coffin of the Pontiff. Others pray silently, running rosary beads through their fingers, like Francis' hands holding is beads. One man approaches the coffin, with a little girl in his arms, speaking in her ear, while she fixes her gaze on Bergoglio. Meanwhile, the Swiss Guards bring in a group of elderly and disabled people. A lady with short white hair wipes her tears with a handkerchief as she clutches the arm of her escort.
The last farewell to the Pope
The man who has just said his last farewell to the Pope lives in Rome but is of Apulian origin, and has not yet weathered the storm of feelings. His name is Francesco. ‘Today,' he says with tears in his eyes, ’ it was a duty for me to come and say goodbye to a Pontiff who has given so much to me. I always keep in mind the word mercy that he taught us. Only through mercy can we live a serene life, helping our neighbour. I really appreciated his battles for disarmament and for welcoming migrants. He fought against war. I hope that now the great powers will listen to his message, so far unheard'.
A Pope who was fundamental for relations with the Orthodox Church
Marius Krishan, a Romanian Orthodox theologian who studied at the Pontifical Oriental Institute from 2014 to 2018, also wanted to greet Francis one last time. That is why he came on pilgrimage from Romania. ‘The Pope was the pontiff of my ecumenical experience. I specifically wanted to come to Rome to greet him. For the Orthodox Church, he had an extraordinary importance. He gave Patriarch Bartholomew the relics of St Peter, the ones that were in Paul VI's private chapel. He visited Romania, Sibiu and Bucharest. He met with our Patriarch Daniel and the new Cathedral of the Salvation of the People. He also visited the Greek Catholic Cathedral where he beatified the Romanian martyrs who suffered during communism. As an Orthodox theologian, I could not fail to come and say goodbye him,' he concludes.
The smile that struck a young girl
Very young Miriam, just 14 years old, will keep the smile of the elderly bishop of Rome in her heart. ‘In front of his tomb, I felt that an era had ended. Given my age, I have only known Francis as Pope. So it all seems strange to me. I have not yet realised that he is dead,' she explains, moved. 'I consider myself very lucky to have been able to come and see him. Of his entire pontificate, I was struck by the fact that he always had a smile on his face, even when he was sick.’
Francis’ simplicity
Annamaria Capasso, from Naples, has lived in Rome since 2013, the year Bergoglio was elected. ‘He is a Pontiff who has left us with strong emotions for everything he has done. When I saw him embrace a fragile person, I was moved,' she confides. ‘I could only stay a few seconds, but it was very emotional. I was always very impressed by his simplicity’.
A Pope who made himself heard and followed
Peter, who came to Rome on holiday, also shares the same sentiments. ‘Francis manifested with his person what he was, which was a good person. We had a long queue under the sun. But despite this we are happy and will carry this memory with us all our lives. From him we learnt humility. This lesson will remain with us forever’.
A journey that became a blessing
Wendy, who came from the United States to Rome as a tourist, thanked Heaven that she had the opportunity to greet the Pontiff. ‘We were truly blessed; to be able to be here at this time, to be able to say a final farewell to this Pope. We had hoped to see him in the midst of the people and instead happened to see him for the last time. We loved him very much and I consider this trip to Rome a true blessing. From him I learnt to be humble and simple and to love all people'.
Source: Vatican News
