Thousands visit Pope Francis’ tomb as Vatican enters nine days of mourning
Pope Francis has been laid to rest at Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the papal basilicas near the Vatican. In a private committal, his simple stone tomb bears his name “Franciscus”, below a crucifix lit by a spotlight. Visitors of all ages are filing past, some making a sign of the cross or pausing to take pictures.
The Vatican is now in a nine-day state of mourning, known as Novemdiales, with a mass held every day until Sunday 5 May. This will be followed by the conclave, where cardinals elect Pope Francis’ successor, starting on a date likely to be confirmed today.
Pope Francis’ last miracle
The meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky, pictured against the dramatic backdrop of the Basilica, has been described as “Pope Francis’ last miracle”. The phrase was referred to by Professor Father Francesco Giordano, Director of Human Life International’s Rome office, who told Sky News: “It was also moving to see what they are now calling ‘Pope Francis’s miracle’ with Trump and Zelensky meeting, there’s so many things that happened today – it was just overwhelming”. President Zelensky said it was a “very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results.”
‘He was a Pope among the people’
Hundreds of world leaders attended the funeral, an opportunity seized by Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals and primary celebrant. In his homily, he spoke of Pope Francis’ frequent appeals for political action against war, to protect the planet, to help the marginalised, refugees and people living in poverty. He reminded the audience of the Pope’s words: “War always leaves the world worse than it was before: It is always a painful and tragic defeat for everyone”. He said Pope Francis gave himself to the marginalised: “His gestures and exhortations in favour of refugees and displaced persons are countless. His insistence on working on behalf of the poor was constant. He was a Pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone”.
The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Rowan Williams, wrote in The Tablet: “He tried to keep before us the wholeness of the humanity to which the Easter life is offered. His instinctive generosity was evident in so much of what he said and did, however many loose ends this left for others to tie up.”
Speaking to BBC local radio audiences, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, leader of Catholics in England and Wales, said: “Pope Francis spoke to our humanity, spoke to us as human beings. He wanted us to be genuinely great in what makes us ‘great’, which is generosity, compassion and a conviction to serve the poorest and to try and even things up – to create a way of life that befits human beings. I think that’s the greatest thing that he managed to do.”
‘Pope Francis isn’t disappearing into nothing’
In another interview, Cardinal Nichols told Sky News: “There’s an abiding presence with you for somebody you’ve loved and I think this will be true for millions of people across the world, that Pope Francis isn’t disappearing into nothing, he’s becoming part of that extended family of God now in his final home”.
Other news
Row over Israel’s presence at Pope’s funeral
The former Israeli ambassador to the Vatican, Raphael Schutz, has accused the Israeli government of boycotting the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday. The Jewish Chronicle reports that it took four days for Netanyahu’s office to offer condolences, the Israeli government did not send an official delegation to Rome for the funeral, sending its current ambassador instead. Mr Schutz told the Ynet news agency: “You can continue to express your dissatisfaction with the deceased pope and detail why he was wrong, and at the same time, you attend the funeral. This is how the diplomatic world behaves.”
Kashmir dispute spills over in London
Demonstrators waving Indian flags gathered outside the Pakistan High Commission in Knightsbridge, London, this weekend to protest at the incident in Kashmir, when gunmen shot tourists near a resort in the Himalayas, killing 26 people. Most of the victims were Hindu men and the PTI news agency and Times of India report that eyewitnesses said men were asked to recite an Islamic verse and when they were unable to do so, they were shot. The BBC reports accounts saying the shooting was random and the victims included a Muslim man. The protesters in London shouted slogans accusing Pakistan of sheltering and supporting terrorist groups, paint was thrown on the High Commission building and windows were smashed. In response, a poster was displayed from the Commission building, loud music is reported to have been played and Met police are investigating an incident there. Pakistan denies Indian claims that it played a role in the shooting. Diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan have broken down following the attack, with both countries announcing retaliatory action against one another.
Bishops review issues for CofE women clergy
Church of England bishops have responded to a report on concerns raised by WATCH (Women and the Church) about the appointment of diocesan bishops who do not ordain women as priests. The bishops say they acknowledge the importance of the issues raised and will consider ways of improving the provision for women priests and bishops. Bishops’ statement here
St George’s Day re-assigned in church calendars to today
St George’s Day, set in the calendar for 23 April, is unusually being celebrated today, 28 April, with the date shifted because of Easter. Traditionally, saints’ days are not marked during the weeks leading up to and following Easter Sunday. The Catholic church and the Church of England changed the date, but this didn’t stop town halls, civic groups and Downing Street celebrating with social events, flags and bunting as usual on 23 April.
