Pope Francis’s funeral brought the least and the greatest together

In the story of Pope Francis’s papacy, the same thread ran through the first and final chapters. On the evening of his election in 2013, he appeared on St Peter’s balcony dressed in plain white – shunning the red papal mozetta – delivering a simple “buonasera” with a shy wave to the rapturous and adoring crowds.

Just as he kept things simple then, he opted for a modest wood coffin today rather than the three-casket option made of cypress, lead and oak. Although popes are usually buried with a new mitre, which costs hundreds of dollars, Francis insisted his current mitre would do just fine. No frills. No fuss. He was, as Cardinal Battista Re said earlier, “a pope among the people” from beginning to end.

Applause rang out as 14 white-gloved pallbearers laid the Pope before the altar this morning in St. Peter’s Square, with a Book of the Gospels resting on top. The majesty of the Vatican encircled the Pope’s coffin, as the square brimmed with around 200,000 mourners and the celestial sounds emanated from the Sistine Chapel’s choir.

Despite his desire to be recognized as another disciple of Christ and not a powerful world figure, Francis’s funeral still attracted a star-studded cast from the diplomatic stage, as the Vatican received 170 delegations, including 50 heads of state, 15 heads of government and 12 reigning monarchs.

President Trump, President Zelensky, the King and Queen of Spain, President Macron, Keir Starmer and Prince William all paid their respects. Meanwhile, refugees, homeless people and prisoners were also among the mourners, along with the vast majority of the Church’s 252 cardinals and, of course, religious, priests, bishops and deacons.

There was also a strong ecumenical representation, with the inclusion of a funeral prayer from the Byzantine Rite and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople in attendance, among other figures of different faith and denominations.

Apart from Francis’s subtle changes to the papal funeral rites, the ceremony took a traditional and predictable form. However, the big unknown was the content of the homily, which was delivered by Cardinal Battista Re, chief celebrant of the funeral and Dean of the College of Cardinals.

He told the crowds before him: “The outpouring of affection that we have witnessed in recent days following his passing from this earth into eternity tells us how much the profound pontificate of Pope Francis touched minds and hearts.”

The 91-year-old praised the Pope for a great many things including his natural pastoral touch, his bravery in visiting Iraq in 2021, his commitment to battling climate change and his eagerness to visit Lampedusa in solidarity with refugees soon after he was elected.

Most memorably, he quoted Francis who once said “war always leaves the world worse than it was before,” which was greeted with thunderous applause.

Reports are now emerging that the President Zelensky met with President Trump earlier this morning in Rome. Many would say that if Francis’s funeral has in some way contributed to the path of peace, then it is a veritable testimony to his legacy to the world.

Francis’s legacy to the Church is more complex. He could be divisive, particularly in his handling of traditional Catholics. Not all would agree that he was a natural peacemaker. But the style of his funeral today reiterated his consistent rejection of materialism. It was this signature stance which made the world sit up and take notice of Pope Francis, and which defines the sort of Church he leaves behind to the 1.4 billion Catholics around the world.

The Church today is one where a pope’s coffin is welcomed by the poorest, rather than just dignitaries and prelates, as we saw at the Basilica of St Mary Major. It’s the sort of Church where it will now raise eyebrows if the next Pope opts for the finer things: red shoes, velvet cassocks, papal apartments and flashy cars.

Hilary Mantel once said that the Catholic Church was no longer a place for “respectable’”people following the horrific abuse crisis. The faithful and adoring crowds today, waving placards of gratitude for the late Pope, reminded me that Francis has gone a considerable way in rehabilitating the Church in the eyes of the world. For that I am grateful.