After a long wait at the heavily secured entrance to Saint Peter’s Square, tourists and worshippers from around the world finally took their seats among the thousands set out in front of the Basilica on Wednesday.
Several large screens were set up around the square so the crowd could follow the event. On Wednesday morning, the body of Pope Francis was transferred from the Saint Martha Chapel to Saint Peter’s Basilica. Visitors, both Catholic and non-Catholic, said they felt it was important to attend what many described as a “historic” moment.
“This is the second time I’ve been in Italy when a pope died, but the first time I’ll be able to see him, so I’m happy to be here,” said Anna, a woman in her 60s from England who spends half her time living in a small village two hours away from Rome. “I will go pray near him, for the world and for peace,” she said.
Before the start of the "translation" ceremony –the ritual transfer of the pope’s body –Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is serving as acting head of the Vatican, began the service. Worshippers opened the small booklets provided to them, outlining the order of the ceremony and including prayers in Italian and Latin.
“In nomine Patris, et Filii et Spiritus Sancti.” At the familiar words, the faithful responded by making the sign of the cross. Hymns rose into the bright, open sky above the crowd.The rain forecast for the day held off.
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‘An honour’
The pope’s body, in a closed coffin, began its journey towards the Basilica, accompanied by the resonant toll of the Campanone, Saint Peter’s main bell.
Emotion was visible on faces across the crowd: some shed quiet tears, others smiled peacefully, closed their eyes, or gazed towards the sky.
“I came especially for the transfer of his body,” said Donna, from Texas, in the United States. “It’s historic, it’s historic,” she repeated, explaining that she is a Baptist Christian, a Protestant denomination.
“I’m not Catholic, but I believe in God,” she said. Speaking about Pope Francis, she added: “He was a man, a spiritual authority, and I honour that. It’s an honour to be here.”
‘A very special energy’
Many worshippers stood on their seats as the coffin passed, taking photos, praying or applauding. One woman broke into tears and was quickly comforted by the friend standing next to her.
As the long Litany of Saints echoed across the square, with the crowd responding to each invocation with “Ora pro eo” [Pray for him], Pope Francis’s coffin entered Saint Peter’s Basilica to sustained applause.
“It’s very special to be here,” said Silvia, seated next to her husband. The couple, devout Catholics, had arrived from Australia on Easter Sunday. “I feel a very special energy,” she said after offering an empty seat beside her. “It’s extraordinary.”
They planned to pray near the pope’s body later in the day before returning to Melbourne on Friday –too late, “unfortunately”, to attend the funeral.
This article was adapted fromthe originalin French by Anaëlle Jonah.
