Under a sky filled with both sorrow and solemnity, Saint Peter’s Square bore witness today to the final farewell to Pope Francis. Thousands of mourners, dignitaries, and faithful filled the majestic space where Pope Francis himself had so often celebrated Mass, reaching out to the world with his characteristic warmth and humility. At the heart of this momentous farewell stood Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who delivered a profoundly moving and detailed homily, capturing the spirit, mission, and enduring legacy of Pope Francis.

A Square of Memories and Faith

Cardinal Re opened his homily by reflecting on the significance of Saint Peter’s Square, a place of countless Eucharistic celebrations and global gatherings presided over by Pope Francis over his 12-year pontificate. Despite the sadness of the day, Re reminded the gathered that faith assures believers of “a life of happiness that will know no sunset,” confidently entrusting the soul of the late Pontiff into the embrace of the Father’s love.

On behalf of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Re extended heartfelt gratitude to the multitude present: dignitaries, heads of state, and faithful from every walk of life, all united in a manifestation of affection and esteem for the departed Pope. The Cardinal emphasised the overwhelming response to Francis’s passing, a testament to the immense impact his papacy had worldwide.

The Last Image of a Shepherd

In an emotional recollection, Cardinal Re described the final public appearance of Pope Francis: Easter Sunday, just days ago. Despite grave health issues, Francis insisted on blessing the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and even descended into the square aboard the Popemobile, eager to greet the massive crowd one last time. This unforgettable gesture of selfless devotion remained etched in the collective memory, a final image of a pope whose life was characterised by giving of himself until the end.

Peter’s Mission – Francis’ Lifelong Vocation

Cardinal Re connected Francis’s life to the Gospel passage wherein Jesus entrusts Peter with the mission to “feed my sheep.” Francis, he said, embodied this vocation, remaining steadfast even amidst final frailty and suffering. Like a true shepherd, Francis gave his life in service to others, following in Christ’s footsteps with strength and serenity.

The Jesuit Spirit and the Choice of “Francis”

Turning to Francis’s origins, Re highlighted how Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a Jesuit steeped in a long religious life and over two decades of pastoral ministry in Buenos Aires, was elected on March 13, 2013. From the moment he chose the name Francis, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, it was clear that his papacy would be marked by humility, simplicity, and a preferential love for the poor and marginalised.

Francis’s governance style reflected his Jesuit formation: direct, personal, and profoundly pastoral. He eschewed barriers between himself and the people, always favoring closeness, especially with those most in need. His language, rich with vivid images and metaphors, became a tool for illuminating the Gospel and confronting the contradictions of the modern world. His papacy, Re observed, was not merely about change but about guiding the Church through a “change of era.”

A Pope Among the People

Pope Francis’s outreach to the marginalised was boundless. Cardinal Re recalled the symbolic significance of Francis’s first apostolic journey to Lampedusa, where he mourned those who perished at sea in search of hope. Later journeys to Lesbos, the U.S.-Mexico border, and notably to war-torn Iraq in 2021, further demonstrated Francis’s commitment to the suffering and the displaced. His journeys to Asia and Oceania in 2024, reaching the farthest peripheries of the world, solidified his vision of a Church without borders.

The Gospel of Mercy and the Culture of Solidarity

At the core of Francis’s papacy was the Gospel of Mercy. He tirelessly emphasised that God’s mercy is limitless, declaring that no one is beyond forgiveness if they seek it sincerely. His vision materialised in the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, a hallmark of his reign, where he called the Church to be a field hospital for wounded souls.

Francis was a relentless critic of the “culture of waste” and instead preached a “culture of solidarity,” urging humanity to recognize our shared destiny. His 2020 encyclical Fratelli Tutti powerfully articulated a universal call to fraternity, reminding all that “no one saves themselves alone.”

The Apostle of Peace

Cardinal Re did not shy away from recalling the turbulent times that Francis navigated — years marred by war, injustice, and division. Yet Pope Francis stood as an unwavering advocate for peace, consistently raising his voice against the “horrors and inhumanity” of conflict. He championed negotiation, understanding, and dialogue, famously repeating, “Building bridges, not walls.”

A Final Embrace and a Last Prayer

In closing, Cardinal Re tenderly recalled Francis’s familiar request: “Don’t forget to pray for me.” Now, in a poignant reversal, Re called on Pope Francis to pray for the Church from heaven — to bless Rome, to bless the entire world, just as he had done in his last public act from the basilica’s balcony on Easter Sunday.

Through his words, Cardinal Re not only offered a solemn farewell but also painted an indelible portrait of a pontiff who lived and breathed the Gospel, embodying compassion, humility, and hope for a world in desperate need of all three.

Today, as the bells of Saint Peter’s Basilica tolled, the world said goodbye to Pope Francis, a shepherd who led his flock not with grandeur, but with the simple, revolutionary power of love.

Photo: Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re (left) leads the Mass before the coffin of the late Pope Francis during the funeral ceremony at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on April 26, 2025. (Agence France-Presse)