The funeral of Pope Francis: the greeting of “The Last” in Santa María La Mayor
Under an almost summer sun, thousands of faithful remained silent, in front of the Basilica of Santa María La Mayor de Roma, the The funeral of Pope Francis. Far from the Plaza de San Pedro, but united in prayer before the gigantic screens that transmit the solemn Mass and the Papamobile way.
Bergoglio chose this basilica as his last home: right here, at the end of the Mass in San Pedro, his coffin passed through a deserted Rome, almost suspended. Just over five kilometers on the road, marked by Applause and prayersin a Bacchio Cown They followed him until the end.
“We brought the drawings of our children who could not come,” says Giuseppe, from Rimini in Rome only for the funeral, “because at home they knew him as a friend, as a grandfather who was to be heard.” On the other side of the world, María Belén came from Buenos Aires, the hometown of Bergoglio: “Being here It is unique, special“, Dadi.
In front of the basilica for some it is difficult to contain emotions: “Too much emotion, cannot be described“, Says Graciela, a faithful Argentine who arrived on Thursday from Rosario to Rome only for the funeral.
The greeting of the last faithful of Pope Francis
The solemn Tañido of the bell of Santa María the mayor welcomed the arrival of the coffin. A long applause embraced Francisco when the procession stopped in front of the basilica loved from the pontiff. On the scale of forty people they waited for him: Poor, homeless, prisoners, emigrants and transsexuals. Each with a white rose in hand. Among these also Manuel and Antonino, both homeless. For both it was a privilege to be the last to greet him before the funeralwhich took place privately between the Paulina chapel and the Sforza chapel, as the pontiff wanted.
“I hope you don’t forget all the Pope that Pope Francis has made for us, the poor,” says Manuel to “Euronews”, incredulous for I was chosen to give the last farewell to the pope. Antonino, with a smile, recalls: “The last words that the Pope said to me were:” The poor always helps. Never say you’re tired. You have to do it while you are standing. “”
From Sunday, the faithful can visit the tomb of Pope Francis, in which only one name will be recorded: FrancisLike the choirs that filled the sky of Rome today.
