Rome, April 26, 2025 — Di sun rise for Rome today, but e shine for one city wey dey mourn, Church wey no get Papa again, and di world wey dey try understand how e take end for one big spiritual era.
Pope Francis, di first Pope wey come from America, di first Jesuit Pope, and di first wey carry di name of Di Poor Man of Assisi, today, im body rest for St. Peter’s Square, as 250,000 people come give am last respect.
Im simple wooden coffin, wey only get “Franciscus” for top, waka pass through di big St. Peter’s Square, one place wey so many Popes, saints, and emperors don pass. But today, e hold one of di most loved spiritual figures wey ever live.
Di Life Weh People Go Always Remember
Pope Francis born Jorge Mario Bergoglio for Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1936. E life na one wey get plenty different stories — from immigrant pikin to nightclub bouncer, chemistry student, and finally priest.
E become Pope in 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI resign. Since den, e come be known as “Papa Weh Care For Di Poor”, “Bridge Builder”, and just simply “Papa Francisco”.
For 12 years as Pope, Francis tackle Church scandal, talk about taking care of di environment, fight for migrants, refugees, and try bring together people wey get different faiths.
“Mercy na di heart of di Church,” na wetin Francis always talk — and for am, no be just something to talk, na wetin e live every day.
Di Day Weh Di Whole World Stand Still
Di funeral Mass, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, start early in di morning with chant wey people never go forget.
People stand gidigba, some dey cry, some hold rosaries or even notes wey dem write with hand.
For di world:
- In Buenos Aires, tens of thousands gather for Plaza de Mayo for Mass.
- In Nairobi, school children hold Vatican and Kenyan flag for service.
- In New York City, Empire State Building shine in white and gold to honor am.
Everywhere, people dey feel grateful, sad, but also dey get hope for di future.
“He teach us say faith no be rules but love and mercy,” Sister Angela, one missionary nurse from Philippines talk.
“E show di world say real strength no dey in power, but in gentleness,” Archbishop Desmond Wright of Cape Town say.
No Gold, No Fanfare: Papa Francis Still Break Tradition for Death
For him life, Pope Francis break tradition, and even for im burial, e no do anything big.
Im no want grand tomb inside papal crypts. Instead, after di funeral, dem carry im coffin go Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica — one place wey e always pray quietly before e start any big journey.
E rest among normal priests and people — e last move to show say greatness no dey for palace, na for service.
No gold, no big decoration. Just prayer, love, and di Latin hymns wey dey whisper:
“In paradisum deducant te angeli…” — May di angels carry you enter paradise.
Di World Gathers: Big Men, Small People, All Join Hand for One Final Bye-Bye
Di funeral show something wey no happen every day — people wey be political rivals, global faith leaders, and ordinary people, all gather together for mourn and show solidarity.
Some of di people wey show face:
- President Joe Biden kneel beside di coffin, later call am “Voice for peace and dignity in world wey dey divide.”
- President Emmanuel Macron, wey dey emotional, talk say, “E be di conscience of di global south.”
- Muslim imams, Jewish rabbis, Buddhist monks all come with wreaths for am.
Even people wey dey criticize di Church sometimes, praise Francis because of di open heart wey e get.
“He no just talk love, e live am,” one LGBTQ+ activist from Italy wey meet Pope Francis talk.
“He no perfect, but e listen. That one matter, e change things.”
Nine Days of Mourning: Di Novendiales
As di world say goodbye, Vatican don enter Novendiales — di nine days mourning period after any Pope die.
Every day, Mass go hold for St. Peter’s, people go reflect on im life, and pray for wetin Church go do next.
Di bells go toll for di world, from African villages to American cathedrals, from small South Pacific missions to big cities, as people remember di Pope wey always tell Church say “na first mother for di people.”
Meanwhile, College of Cardinals don start to prepare for Papal Conclave to choose di next Pope, no easy task given how big di shoes wey Francis leave behind.
Di Last Blessing: A Farewell We Go Never Forget
For di homily today, Cardinal Re reflect on di big impact Francis leave behind:
“Francis no rule from top, e waka among us. He be shepherd wey smell like di sheep, e lift di wounded, e break bread with sinners. He leave Church wey dirty and bruised from being on di street, just like e want am. E leave world wey go always change because of mercy.”
As di casket drop down, di sunlight shine on mourners, and di bells ring, e no feel like say na end.
E feel like say di work of mercy, justice, and compassion still go continue.
🕊️ Rest well, Papa Francisco. Di world no go forget. Your light still dey shine.
