- Successor To Emerge Soon
BY RITA OYIBOKA/JUDITH OBIANUA
Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88, was laid to rest yesterday in a solemn funeral attended by thousands from around the world.
The funeral Mass, held in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican, commenced at 10 a.m. local time (9 a.m. GMT+1) and drew over 250,000 mourners, including heads of state, religious leaders, and dignitaries.
Among those present were U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, led the country’s delegation on behalf of President Bola Tinubu. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, presided over the Mass, delivering a homily that reflected the late pontiff’s life work: his compassion for migrants, unwavering calls for peace, and urgent appeals for action on climate change.
Following the Mass, the simple wooden coffin, bearing the inscription “Franciscus” by the Pope’s wishes, was carried through the streets of Rome.
True to his request, Pope Francis was not buried within the Vatican but instead interred at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a site he often visited before and after his apostolic journeys.
In his homily, Cardinal Re reminded mourners of Francis’ enduring message to “build bridges, not walls,” an indirect rebuke of former President Trump’s immigration policies. He urged political leaders and the 135 cardinals tasked with choosing the next pontiff to remain guided by Francis’ legacy.
The Catholic Church bid farewell to its first Latin American Pope with ancient rites and Latin chants, marking the end of a transformative 12-year pontificate that redefined modern Catholicism. As the coffin was placed within the Basilica, Cardinal Re reflected on how Francis “touched minds and hearts across the world.”
In an interview with The Pointer, the Assistant Parish Priest of St Columba’s Catholic Church, Agbor Obi, Rev Fr Stephen Beonyebideme described Pope Francis as a role model for every Man of God, noting that he dedicated himself wholly to the service of God.
According to him, this is a period of grief for Catholics globally. As we mourn, he said: “We are reminded of the enduring truth that while Popes may pass from this life, the Church founded by Christ remains steadfast, guided by the Holy Spirit, as we look forward to a new Pope.”
The conclave to elect Francis’ successor is expected to convene between May 6 and May 11, sources claim.
