Latest news with #JubileeofAdolescents
Al Jazeera
27-04-2025
- General
- Al Jazeera
Pope Francis laid to rest in Rome after funeral attended by thousands
Rome, Italy – About 250,000 mourners in Vatican City fell into hushed silence on Saturday morning as the funeral for Pope Francis began. The church choir echoed through loudspeakers across the city-state. Some bowed their heads in respect. Others clasped their hands in silent prayer. Just after 10am (08:00 GMT), the pope's coffin was brought out of St Peter's Basilica. Most of the crowd, too far away to catch a glimpse, turned to the large screens dotted around St Peter's Square. Police officers, stewards and military personnel who had been directing crowds through cordoned-off streets since dawn finally relaxed as the gentle sound of a prayer song softened the tense morning into a moment of shared peace. As the readings began in several languages, several groups of teenagers who had come to Rome as part of the Jubilee of Adolescents, a three-day event during the Jubilee, a major Catholic event held every 25 years, sat down on the cobblestones of Via della Conciliazione, which leads up to the piazza. Others moved towards the fringes of the street as they sought shade from the warm midday sun. Pauline Mille, a French doctoral student who had arrived early in the morning with her parents, said it was a moving ceremony and it was 'nice to hear people singing in harmony and spending time together' as they celebrated the pope's legacy. Lebanese American Elie Dib travelled to Rome with his wife and young son to attend the canonisation of Carlo Acutis, which was postponed due to Francis's death on Monday. Dib told Al Jazeera he was 'blessed to be part of the prayer and the funeral service today to pray for his soul' and was impressed to see people of many different nationalities speaking 'in one voice of love and prayer'. His son, Antony, who was sitting on his father's shoulders draped in a Lebanese flag, said that although he was sad the pope had died, he was 'still happy that he is going to heaven'. In the centre of the square, a group of teenagers from Mexico with their hands placed on each other's shoulders knelt with their heads bowed. As the ceremony came to a close, the crowds filtered out of the Vatican as stewards handed out free water to the elderly. The popemobile carrying Francis's coffin drove out of the city-state and through the streets of Rome, past many of its famous landmarks, such as the Colosseum, to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a few kilometres away. As the roughly 50 heads of state, 12 reigning monarchs and other VIP guests who had been seated in a section next to St Peter's Basilica were ushered out of private exits in a series of motorcades, tens of thousands of mourners began the roughly one-hour journey by foot to the pope's final resting place. Fiorello Maffei, a 58-year-old who lives in London, returned to Italy for the now postponed canonisation of Carlo, a Londoner himself born to Italian parents who died of leukaemia at the age of 15. Maffei said he had found Francis's funeral 'very touching' and full of simple words and messages of love that still 'carried great weight'. He said this epitomised Francis, who didn't overcomplicate his messages during communication with people, adding that it pleased him that world leaders such as United States President Donald Trump had to listen to these messages of peace. Two priests from Benin who attended the funeral with clergy from South Africa said that although they felt sad during the service, they were also filled with hope and were grateful for the legacy Francis has left behind. As they watched the pope's coffin being driven through Rome on a large TV screen positioned near the banks of the Tiber, they said Francis had preached a message of peace and inclusion and had welcomed migrants and refugees with an 'open heart'. Maffei said he believed Francis would have enjoyed seeing so many people walking through Rome and tackling the uphill stretch by Largo Magnanapoli. 'Walking like this is difficult. It is a time for reflection and meditation, and that's just what he would have wanted,' Maffei said. At the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a church much loved by the pope, who visited it more than 100 times over the course of his 12-year papacy, the crowds began to thin as no public ceremony or special event had been organised for his burial. On Sunday, the pontiff's tomb was opened to the public. The simple white resting place, inscribed with simply one name – Franciscus, his name in Latin – reflects Francis's request in his will to be buried 'in the ground, without particular decoration'.
Washington Post
26-04-2025
- General
- Washington Post
They came for the canonization of a millennial saint. They stayed for Pope Francis' funeral
VATICAN CITY — Thousands of young people from around the world had come to Rome expecting to rejoice this weekend in the canonization of the first millennial saint during the Vatican's Holy Year. They ended up bidding farewell to Pope Francis instead, with their exuberance giving an uplifting tone to Saturday's otherwise somber funeral. 'He always said you have to be joyful about life, you have to live life in a similar way,' said Marco Falchi, who traveled from his home near Perugia with his wife and 11-year-old son. He and his wife credit Francis with reviving their spirituality, and they named their son, Francesco, after him. The family is also devoted to the cause of sainthood for Carlo Acutis , a young Italian who died in 2006 from leukemia and inspired faith in many young Catholics . They planned their trip to Rome around that. The canonization of Acutis had been scheduled for Sunday during the first-ever Jubilee of Adolescents, dedicated to teens. It was suspended after Francis' death on Monday. Falchi was struck by the lack of deep mourning at the funeral for the pope, and he is convinced Francis would have been pleased. 'Especially since this was the jubilee for adolescents, he certainly didn't want a day of mourning but he wanted a day of joy,' he said. There was a clear blue sky over St. Peter's Square. Some people camped out the night before to get a good spot. Many stood respectfully, their hands folded, as they followed the Mass on large screens. Radio broadcasts in multiple languages added to the hum of humanity. They applauded when Francis' simple wooden coffin was moved outdoors. Tens of thousands of Catholic faithful had planned their trips before the pope's death . 'I bought my ticket for Carlo,' said Reyes Arribas, a 23-year-old from Valencia, Spain. 'And then suddenly Pope Francis died, so I came to the funeral.' She confessed that while she admired Francis, she felt a closer affinity to his predecessors, St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Her feelings for Acutis, however, are very strong. She excitedly praised him as 'the first saint of young people' because he was immersed in the technological world of today. Even those who were disappointed by the suspended canonization were gratified that they could celebrate Francis, loved by many for his humility and concern for the poor. 'I feel like I grew up with Pope Francis,' said Jessica Naranjo, a 27-year-old from Austin, Texas. 'I felt very connected with him in the way he advocated for social justice and the environment. This was a big loss for me.' 'I'm disappointed that I'm here celebrating the pope's life instead of celebrating with the pope,' she said. Ana Kalen, a 22-year-old medical student, traveled to Rome for the Acutis canonization with a group from Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. 'The plans have changed, but we are still so glad to be here for this historical moment,' Kalen said, a Bosnian flag draped over her shoulders. 'We are sad about each death. But we do believe that Pope Francis is in a better place.' After St. John Paul II died in 2005, the mood was different. The faithful made pilgrimages from his Polish homeland and elsewhere to mourn a towering figure of the 20th century in a spirit of deep sadness and loss. Francis had a different style. During his 12-year papacy, he urged people to maintain a sense of humor, and that spirit seemed to guide many participants Saturday. Groups of young people filled St. Peter's Square before the funeral Mass. One from a parish in Cassano Magnago in the northern Italian province of Varese danced in circle and sang religious songs. The pope's death during Easter season filled them with a sense of peace, one teenager said. 'It's a good sign,' said 16-year-old Matteo Cozzi. 'The death of a pope at Easter is a sign of hope.'
26-04-2025
- General
They came for the canonization of a millennial saint. They stayed for Pope Francis' funeral
VATICAN CITY -- Thousands of young people from around the world had come to Rome expecting to rejoice this weekend in the canonization of the first millennial saint during the Vatican's Holy Year. They ended up bidding farewell to Pope Francis instead, with their exuberance giving an uplifting tone to Saturday's otherwise somber funeral. 'He always said you have to be joyful about life, you have to live life in a similar way,' said Marco Falchi, who traveled from his home near Perugia with his wife and 11-year-old son. He and his wife credit Francis with reviving their spirituality, and they named their son, Francesco, after him. The family is also devoted to the cause of sainthood for Carlo Acutis, a young Italian who died in 2006 from leukemia and inspired faith in many young Catholics. They planned their trip to Rome around that. The canonization of Acutis had been scheduled for Sunday during the first-ever Jubilee of Adolescents, dedicated to teens. It was suspended after Francis' death. Falchi was struck by the lack of deep mourning at the funeral for the pope. 'Especially since this was the jubilee for adolescents, he certainly didn't want a day of mourning but he wanted a day of joy,' he said. There was a clear blue sky over St. Peter's Square. Some people camped out the night before to get a good spot. Many stood respectfully, their hands folded, as they followed the Mass on large screens. Radio broadcasts in multiple languages added to the hum of humanity. They applauded when Francis' simple wooden coffin was moved outdoors. Tens of thousands of Catholic faithful had planned their trips before the pope's death on Monday at age 88 following a long hospitalization. 'I bought my ticket for Carlo,' said Reyes Arribas, a 23-year-old from Valencia, Spain. 'And then suddenly Pope Francis died, so I came to the funeral.' She confessed that while she admired Francis, she felt a closer affinity to his predecessors, St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Her feelings for Acutis, however, are very strong. She excitedly praised him as 'the first saint of young people' because he was immersed in the technological world of today. Even those who were disappointed by the suspended canonization were gratified that they could celebrate Francis, loved by many for his humility and concern for the poor. 'I feel I grew up with Pope Francis,' said Jessica Naranjo, a 27-year-old from Austin, Texas. 'He advocated for social justice. This was a big loss for me.' Ana Kalen, a 22-year-old medical student, traveled to Rome for the Acutis canonization with a group from Sarajevo, Bosnia. 'The plans have changed, but we are still so glad to be here for this historical moment,' Kalen said, a Bosnian flag draped over her shoulders. 'We are sad about each death,' Kalen said. 'But we do believe that Pope Francis is in a better place.' After St. John Paul II died in 2005, the mood was different. The faithful made pilgrimages from his Polish homeland and elsewhere to mourn a towering figure of the 20th century in a spirit of deep sadness and loss. Francis had a different style. During his 12-year papacy, he urged people to maintain a sense of humor, and that spirit seemed to guide many participants Saturday. Groups of young people filled St. Peter's Square before the funeral Mass. One from a parish in Cassano Magnago in the northern Italian province of Varese danced in circle and sang religious songs. The pope's death during Easter season filled them with a sense of peace, one teenager said. 'It's a good sign,' said 16-year-old Matteo Cozzi. 'The death of a pope at Easter is a sign of hope.'
Hamilton Spectator
26-04-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
They came for the canonization of a millennial saint. They stayed for Pope Francis' funeral
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Thousands of young people from around the world had come to Rome expecting to rejoice this weekend in the canonization of the first millennial saint during the Vatican's Holy Year. They ended up bidding farewell to Pope Francis instead, with their exuberance giving an uplifting tone to Saturday's otherwise somber funeral. 'He always said you have to be joyful about life, you have to live life in a similar way,' said Marco Falchi, who traveled from his home near Perugia with his wife and 11-year-old son. He and his wife credit Francis with reviving their spirituality, and they named their son, Francesco, after him. The family is also devoted to the cause of sainthood for Carlo Acutis , a young Italian who died in 2006 from leukemia and inspired faith in many young Catholics . They planned their trip to Rome around that. The canonization of Acutis had been scheduled for Sunday during the first-ever Jubilee of Adolescents, dedicated to teens. It was suspended after Francis' death. Falchi was struck by the lack of deep mourning at the funeral for the pope. 'Especially since this was the jubilee for adolescents, he certainly didn't want a day of mourning but he wanted a day of joy,' he said. There was a clear blue sky over St. Peter's Square. Some people camped out the night before to get a good spot. Many stood respectfully, their hands folded, as they followed the Mass on large screens. Radio broadcasts in multiple languages added to the hum of humanity. They applauded when Francis' simple wooden coffin was moved outdoors. Tens of thousands of Catholic faithful had planned their trips before the pope's death on Monday at age 88 following a long hospitalization. 'I bought my ticket for Carlo,' said Reyes Arribas, a 23-year-old from Valencia, Spain. 'And then suddenly Pope Francis died, so I came to the funeral.' She confessed that while she admired Francis, she felt a closer affinity to his predecessors, St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Her feelings for Acutis, however, are very strong. She excitedly praised him as 'the first saint of young people' because he was immersed in the technological world of today. Even those who were disappointed by the suspended canonization were gratified that they could celebrate Francis, loved by many for his humility and concern for the poor. 'I feel I grew up with Pope Francis,' said Jessica Naranjo, a 27-year-old from Austin, Texas. 'He advocated for social justice. This was a big loss for me.' Ana Kalen, a 22-year-old medical student, traveled to Rome for the Acutis canonization with a group from Sarajevo, Bosnia. 'The plans have changed, but we are still so glad to be here for this historical moment,' Kalen said, a Bosnian flag draped over her shoulders. 'We are sad about each death,' Kalen said. 'But we do believe that Pope Francis is in a better place.' After St. John Paul II died in 2005, the mood was different. The faithful made pilgrimages from his Polish homeland and elsewhere to mourn a towering figure of the 20th century in a spirit of deep sadness and loss. Francis had a different style. During his 12-year papacy, he urged people to maintain a sense of humor, and that spirit seemed to guide many participants Saturday. Groups of young people filled St. Peter's Square before the funeral Mass. One from a parish in Cassano Magnago in the northern Italian province of Varese danced in circle and sang religious songs. The pope's death during Easter season filled them with a sense of peace, one teenager said. 'It's a good sign,' said 16-year-old Matteo Cozzi. 'The death of a pope at Easter is a sign of hope.'
Winnipeg Free Press
26-04-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
They came for the canonization of a millennial saint. They stayed for Pope Francis' funeral
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Thousands of young people from around the world had come to Rome expecting to rejoice this weekend in the canonization of the first millennial saint during the Vatican's Holy Year. They ended up bidding farewell to Pope Francis instead, with their exuberance giving an uplifting tone to Saturday's otherwise somber funeral. 'He always said you have to be joyful about life, you have to live life in a similar way,' said Marco Falchi, who traveled from his home near Perugia with his wife and 11-year-old son. He and his wife credit Francis with reviving their spirituality, and they named their son, Francesco, after him. The family is also devoted to the cause of sainthood for Carlo Acutis, a young Italian who died in 2006 from leukemia and inspired faith in many young Catholics. They planned their trip to Rome around that. The canonization of Acutis had been scheduled for Sunday during the first-ever Jubilee of Adolescents, dedicated to teens. It was suspended after Francis' death. Falchi was struck by the lack of deep mourning at the funeral for the pope. 'Especially since this was the jubilee for adolescents, he certainly didn't want a day of mourning but he wanted a day of joy,' he said. There was a clear blue sky over St. Peter's Square. Some people camped out the night before to get a good spot. Many stood respectfully, their hands folded, as they followed the Mass on large screens. Radio broadcasts in multiple languages added to the hum of humanity. They applauded when Francis' simple wooden coffin was moved outdoors. Tens of thousands of Catholic faithful had planned their trips before the pope's death on Monday at age 88 following a long hospitalization. 'I bought my ticket for Carlo,' said Reyes Arribas, a 23-year-old from Valencia, Spain. 'And then suddenly Pope Francis died, so I came to the funeral.' She confessed that while she admired Francis, she felt a closer affinity to his predecessors, St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Her feelings for Acutis, however, are very strong. She excitedly praised him as 'the first saint of young people' because he was immersed in the technological world of today. Even those who were disappointed by the suspended canonization were gratified that they could celebrate Francis, loved by many for his humility and concern for the poor. 'I feel I grew up with Pope Francis,' said Jessica Naranjo, a 27-year-old from Austin, Texas. 'He advocated for social justice. This was a big loss for me.' Ana Kalen, a 22-year-old medical student, traveled to Rome for the Acutis canonization with a group from Sarajevo, Bosnia. 'The plans have changed, but we are still so glad to be here for this historical moment,' Kalen said, a Bosnian flag draped over her shoulders. 'We are sad about each death,' Kalen said. 'But we do believe that Pope Francis is in a better place.' During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. After St. John Paul II died in 2005, the mood was different. The faithful made pilgrimages from his Polish homeland and elsewhere to mourn a towering figure of the 20th century in a spirit of deep sadness and loss. Francis had a different style. During his 12-year papacy, he urged people to maintain a sense of humor, and that spirit seemed to guide many participants Saturday. Groups of young people filled St. Peter's Square before the funeral Mass. One from a parish in Cassano Magnago in the northern Italian province of Varese danced in circle and sang religious songs. The pope's death during Easter season filled them with a sense of peace, one teenager said. 'It's a good sign,' said 16-year-old Matteo Cozzi. 'The death of a pope at Easter is a sign of hope.'
