In a historic and deeply emotional ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered a stirring homily honoring Pope Francis as a "pope of the people," a shepherd whose compassion, humility, and tireless advocacy for the marginalized reshaped the Catholic Church in the 21st century.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, rose from humble beginnings to become the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope in history. Throughout his papacy, he remained steadfast in his mission to build a "poor Church for the poor," challenging Catholics worldwide to move beyond doctrine and tradition to live out the Gospel through acts of love, mercy, and justice.

In his homily, Cardinal Re reflected on Francis' pastoral style — one marked by personal simplicity, direct engagement with the faithful, and a deep concern for those often forgotten by society. "He was a pope who walked with his people," Re said. "He listened, he embraced, he healed. His heart beat for the poor, the sick, the refugees, and the imprisoned."

Following his last will and testament, Pope Francis requested that his final resting place not be within the grand papal tombs beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, but rather at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore — a place of special devotion for him throughout his life. Known for visiting the Basilica to pray before major apostolic journeys, Francis’ decision to be interred there symbolizes his lifelong dedication to Mary, the Mother of the Church, and his solidarity with the most vulnerable.

In a poignant departure from tradition, the funeral at Santa Maria Maggiore will include a welcoming ceremony led by representatives of the "poor and needy," embodying the spirit of inclusion and service that defined Francis’ leadership. His simple wooden coffin, adorned with the papal seal and a copy of his papal constitution Praedicate Evangelium, will be borne by men and women representing communities he so often championed during his lifetime.

Tens of thousands of mourners filled St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding streets, while millions more watched from around the world. Many held signs reading "Grazie, Papa Francesco" (Thank you, Pope Francis) and waved Vatican flags as the funeral Mass unfolded under solemn gray skies.

Among those in attendance were heads of state, religious leaders from various faiths, and ordinary Catholics who credited Pope Francis with rekindling their faith. His ability to bridge divides — whether between nations, religions, or communities — earned him widespread respect, even from those outside the Church.

During his twelve-year pontificate, Pope Francis authored landmark encyclicals such as Laudato Si', urging urgent action against climate change, and Fratelli Tutti, calling for fraternity and social friendship across borders. His tireless advocacy for migrants and the environment, along with efforts to reform Church governance, signaled a bold, pastoral approach aimed at addressing the realities of a changing world.

Yet it was often through small, spontaneous acts — washing the feet of prisoners on Holy Thursday, embracing the disfigured, visiting refugee camps — that Pope Francis most powerfully communicated the radical love of Christ.

As the final prayers were said and the bells of Rome rang out, there was a palpable sense of both sorrow and gratitude among the faithful. Many saw in Pope Francis a return to the simple, powerful roots of Christianity: love without condition, service without hesitation, hope without end.

His passing marks the close of an extraordinary chapter in the history of the Catholic Church. But for millions inspired by his message, Pope Francis' legacy will live on — not in monuments of stone, but in the daily acts of kindness, justice, and mercy he called each person to embrace.

As one mourner, a young woman from Argentina, tearfully said as she placed a white rose near the Vatican gates: "He was not just our pope. He was our father, our brother, our friend."