Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re's Homily at Pope Francis' Funeral

A Farewell to Pope Francis

• 🕊️ Gathered in Saint Peter's Square with heavy hearts, we pray around the mortal remains of Pope Francis, sustained by the certainty that human existence continues in the Father's house.
• 🙏 Cardinal Re, on behalf of the College of Cardinals, extends heartfelt thanks to heads of state, government officials, and delegations for their presence and expressions of affection and esteem for the late Holy Father.
• 🌟 The outpouring of affection witnessed reflects how profoundly Pope Francis' pontificate touched minds and hearts.

Pope Francis' Pastoral Vision and Style

• 🐑 Pope Francis, following the example of Christ the Good Shepherd, chose a path of self-giving love until his last earthly day, serving his flock with strength and serenity.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Elected in 2013, he chose the name Francis, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, signaling a pastoral plan focused on seeking inspiration and a style of leadership that emphasized closeness to individuals and peoples, especially the marginalized.
• 🌍 He was a "Pope among the people," with an open heart, attentive to the signs of the times and the awakening of the Holy Spirit within the Church.
• 🗣️ Using characteristic vocabulary and metaphors, he illuminated contemporary problems with Gospel wisdom, encouraging Christians to live amidst the challenges of an "epochal change."

Core Themes of His Pontificate

• 🏥 Evangelization was the guiding principle, with a clear missionary vision to spread the joy of the Gospel, viewing the Church as a "field hospital" ready to care for the wounded and address the anxieties of the contemporary world.
• 🤝 His gestures and exhortations in favor of refugees and displaced persons were countless, with a constant insistence on working for the poor, exemplified by his first journey to Lampedusa.
• 🌍 Pope Francis consistently emphasized the Gospel of Mercy, calling for an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy to highlight it as the heart of the Gospel, and advocating for a "culture of encounter and solidarity" over a "culture of waste."
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The theme of fraternity ran through his entire pontificate, urging a worldwide aspiration to fraternity as children of the same Father, and signing the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together.
• 🏡 In his encyclical Laudato Si', he drew attention to shared responsibility for our common home, stating that no one is saved alone.
• 🕊️ Faced with raging wars, Pope Francis incessantly implored peace, calling for reason and honest negotiation, reminding us that war always results in defeat and leaves the world worse.

A Final Blessing and Prayer

• 🙏 We are spiritually united in praying for Pope Francis, that God may welcome him into the immensity of His love.
• 🌍 Pope Francis, who often concluded his speeches by asking for prayers, is now asked to pray for us from heaven, to bless the Church, Rome, and the whole world, offering a final embrace to all of humanity seeking truth.