John Morales and Rome Correspondent Ashley Noronha reflected on the deeply moving funeral of Pope Francis: a historic, bittersweet farewell that brought the Universal Church and the world’s leaders to Rome. 🌍✝️
John described the massive crowds: over 250,000 faithful packed St. Peter’s Square, and there were another 150,000 spilling down the streets. The Mass was presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, as he offered the final commendation: calling on the Blessed Mother’s intercession. 🙏
🎙️ Ashley Noronha’s Front-Row View
Broadcasting from Rome, Ashley painted a stunning picture:
The piazza was jammed shoulder to shoulder, yet the scene was reverent, peaceful, and almost otherworldly.
Despite crazy crowds, there was confession happening under the colonnades and there were Rosaries being prayed; it was the Church in full, beautiful action. ✝️💒
Ashley had an epic vantage point from atop the Bernini colonnade.
One especially poignant moment for Ashley was seeing the simple coffin with the Book of the Gospels resting on top, its pages gently fluttering in the Roman breeze. (Chills!)
🌍 Rome’s Streets and the People’s Procession
After the funeral, Ashley described the streets lined with mourners waving flags, praying, and paying their respects as Pope Francis’ motorcade wound its way past iconic sites:
🏛️ The Colosseum: where he had once led Good Friday services
⛪ The Church of the Gesù: final resting place of St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits
🛐 St. John Lateran: his cathedral as Bishop of Rome
🌹 St. Mary Major: where the homeless and poor waved white roses in a heart-melting tribute. 🌹
It was a universal, multicultural, spiritual farewell… full of hope, faith, and tenderness. ❤️🌏
🔔 Final Reflections
The funeral was a global prayer meeting. Ashley shared how the church bells of Rome tolled mournfully, wrapping the city in a blanket of sacred sound. 🛎️
And she offered a glimpse of Pope Francis’ new resting place at St. Mary Major: a simple grave, marked only by the name “Franciscus.” No frills. Just humility… very fitting for this Pope of the Poor.
Ashley ended by reminding you that she carries all of our prayers with her to Rome’s holy sites, acting as Relevant Radio’s boots-on-the-ground ambassador in the Eternal City. 💙
✝️ “Pope Francis… pray for us.” ✝️
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