During his homily at the Requiem Mass for Pope Francis, the Dean of the College of Cardinals reflected on the key moments of his dynamic and visionary 12-year papacy, characterized by his deep connection with the people—especially the most vulnerable—and his profound love for a Church that welcomes all.
Over Two Hundred Thousand Gather to Bid Farewell to Pope Francis at Requiem Mass
On Saturday morning, over two hundred thousand people from diverse backgrounds filled St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding areas to pay their final respects to Pope Francis during his Requiem Mass.
The solemn and deeply moving ceremony was presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, accompanied by approximately 250 Cardinals, Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, priests, and members of religious communities.
Delivering the homily, the Dean of the College of Cardinals reflected on the significant milestones of Pope Francis’ remarkable and fervent 12-year Petrine ministry. He emphasized the Pope’s hallmark traits: his closeness to the people, his spontaneous gestures of compassion, and, above all, his enduring love for a Church open to all.
A Pontificate That Touched Hearts and Minds
Cardinal Re expressed gratitude to all who attended, including numerous Heads of State, Heads of Government, and official delegations from around the world. He noted that the overwhelming turnout during the week of mourning testified to the profound impact Pope Francis had in touching the hearts and minds of countless individuals, both within and beyond the Church.
A Faithful Shepherd Until the End
Reflecting on the Gospel passage in which Christ entrusts Peter with the care of His flock, Cardinal Re remarked that Pope Francis, despite his declining health and suffering in his final days, remained steadfast in his mission of selfless service. Until his last breath, he faithfully followed the path of the Good Shepherd, offering his life in humble dedication to the people of God.
“The final image we have of him, which will remain etched in our memory, is that of last Sunday, Easter Sunday, when Pope Francis, despite his serious health problems, wanted to give us his blessing from the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica. He then came down to this Square to greet the large crowd gathered for the Easter Mass while riding in the open-top Popemobile.”
He recalled that Pope Francis’ choice of name “instantly revealed the pastoral vision and approach he intended to follow, drawing inspiration from the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi.”
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An Open Heart, Attentive to the Signs of the Times
Cardinal Re described how Pope Francis, with his temperament, leadership style, and determined spirit, quickly left a profound impact on the governance of the Church.
“He was a Pope who lived among the people,” Cardinal Re said, noting his open-hearted approach, particularly toward the marginalized and the forgotten. Yet, he was also “a Pope attentive to the signs of the times and to the movements of the Holy Spirit within the Church.”
Using simple yet powerful language, Pope Francis consistently sought to illuminate the challenges of the modern world through the wisdom of the Gospel. He encouraged Christians to live their faith authentically amid the complexities and contradictions of what he often referred to as an “epochal change.”
Evangelization at the Heart of His Mission
Evangelization remained the cornerstone of Pope Francis’ pastoral vision, as clearly outlined in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. His concept of the Church as a "field hospital" reflected a vision of a Church actively reaching out to heal the wounds of the world. His deep compassion for migrants and refugees was symbolized through significant visits to places like Lampedusa, Lesbos, and the US-Mexico border, expressing profound solidarity with the suffering.
“His gestures and appeals on behalf of refugees and displaced persons were countless,” Cardinal Re noted, emphasizing Pope Francis’ unwavering commitment to the poor.
Among his 47 Apostolic Journeys, Cardinal Re singled out his visit to Iraq, describing it as both “a pastoral balm” and a powerful call for interreligious dialogue.
His global travels often took him to regions scarred by suffering and conflict, culminating in his final major journey in 2024 to the Asia-Oceania region, extending the Church’s presence to the farthest reaches.
A Persistent Witness to Mercy
Cardinal Re further highlighted Pope Francis’ relentless emphasis on mercy, most notably through the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2016. His advocacy for a “culture of encounter,” in opposition to the prevailing “throwaway culture,” became a defining theme of his pontificate.
His appeals for human fraternity were notably articulated in his Encyclical Fratelli Tutti and the 2019 Abu Dhabi Declaration on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, both underscoring his deep yearning for global solidarity and peace.
A Courageous Voice for Peace
Environmental stewardship was another key element of his leadership, embodied in the landmark Encyclical Laudato si’, where he stressed the interconnectedness of all life and humanity’s shared responsibility to care for the planet.
In times marked by conflict and violence, Pope Francis emerged as a tireless advocate for peace, unwaveringly asserting that “war is a defeat for humanity.”
Cardinal Re’s reflections on Pope Francis’ relentless pursuit of world peace were met with heartfelt applause from the faithful gathered.
“Pope Francis, Pray for Us from Heaven”
The homily concluded on a poignant note, echoing the familiar words Pope Francis often used to close his audiences: “Do not forget to pray for me.”
As the crowd responded with renewed applause, Cardinal Re tenderly reversed the request, calling upon the beloved Pope to now intercede from heaven: to pray for the Church, for Rome, and for the entire world.
“Dear Francis,” he said, “we now ask you to pray for us. Bless the Church, bless Rome, and bless the world from heaven, just as you did from this Basilica’s balcony in your final embrace of the People of God—and extend that embrace to all humanity, to those who seek truth with sincere hearts and carry the torch of hope high.”
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