Back to news
‘He Was Like Family’: Faithful Descend on St. Peter’s Square for Pope’s Funeral
@Source: nytimes.com
Some mourners had spent the night sleeping in the streets near the Vatican, and they started lining up at dawn on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square to bid farewell to Pope Francis. Hours later, world leaders took their seats in rows near an altar set up in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The scene was appropriate for the funeral of a head of state, with red-robed cardinals, royalty and dignitaries attending the open-air Mass. But for a pope who had spent over a decade defending people at the margins of society, many had also come to pay their respects to someone who occupied a deeply personal space in their lives.
“More than a pope, he was a fatherly figure for us migrants,” said Virginia Munos Ramires, 30, an El Salvador native, as she held onto a railing in St. Peter’s Square under the beating sun. “He represented Latinos, immigrants — he was a reference for all of us.”
Some of the mourners wore suits, others the blue and white soccer jerseys of Francis’ native Argentina. Still others were dressed in traditional Polish garments or colorful cloths from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Related News
28 Apr, 2025
Perth's NRL entry to set right historica . . .
06 Apr, 2025
Inter Miami vs Toronto FC Prediction and . . .
30 Mar, 2025
Tim Walz Demands Answers After Universit . . .
12 Apr, 2025
IGP clarifies comments on recruitment of . . .
25 Mar, 2025
Vanessa Trump's daughter Kai shares unex . . .
11 Apr, 2025
Walee Sports Free Hits - A studio show m . . .
13 May, 2025
5 Players RCB might release after IPL 20 . . .
27 May, 2025
Oilers' Evander Kane relishing playoff r . . .