Vatican Insiders Mourn Pope Francis Privately; Cardinals Prepare for Conclave

Private Viewing and Public Mourning

• 🕯️ Pope Francis was honored in a private viewing at Casa Santa Marta, his residence, attended by nuns, priests, and Vatican workers.
• 🕊️ Norah O'Donnell described the somber occasion, where attendees offered prayers and received a prayer card as a memento.
• 🚶 Hundreds of thousands are expected to line up in St. Peter's Square to pay their final respects as the Pope lies in state for three days.
• 🌍 People from around the world, including Oklahoma City and Mexico, are waiting in long lines, with some expressing that Pope Francis "changed my life."

Pope Francis's Legacy and Modesty

• 💖 Pope Francis was known for his pastoral approach and being a "people's pope," working hard even on his last day, Easter Sunday.
• ✝️ His funeral procession to St. Peter's Basilica was grand, but his coffin is placed low to the ground, reflecting his chosen name and affinity for St. Francis of Assisi.
• 🏛️ The Pope will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, his favorite church, with a simple inscription: "Franciscus."

Preparing for the Papal Conclave

• 🤔 James Grimaldi, Executive Editor at the National Catholic Reporter, is in "planning mode" and feeling sad following the Pope's passing.
• 🗳️ The College of Cardinals, 80% of whom were selected by Pope Francis, will elect the new pope, but the direction the church will take remains uncertain.
• 🌐 Questions linger about whether the next pope will be liberal or conservative, Italian or from elsewhere, and if the church will continue to reach out to marginalized groups.
• 🎬 While movies like "The Conclave" depict dramatic twists, Grimaldi believes the next papal election will not have such Hollywood-style surprises and will likely involve a known figure within the College of Cardinals.