HONOLULU (KHON2) — A historic farewell to a pope unlike any before him, Pope Francis is laid to rest in a ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica that will be watched by millions around the world.
In a church often seen as rigid, Pope Francis, known as the ‘People’s Pope,’ embodied a softer human voice according to Reverend Alfred Omar Guerrero.
“He really showed us through his papacy, the face of mercy through his pastoral care and preferential option for the poor and those in the peripheries,” Guerrero said.
Even the manner in which he wished to be laid to rest, echoes his humble nature.
“I think starting with the coffin,” Guerrero explained. “It’s a very simple coffin that Pope Francis has requested for his funeral protocols. And also in the St. Mary Major he wanted to be buried in the ground with no ornamentation, and just a simple ‘Francisco’ to indicate his name.”
Above the front doors of Co-Cathedral of Saint Theresa, there is black bunting, a symbol of mourning. Guerrero said it will there for the next nine days. After that time, they’ll replace it with white and yellow bunting, which symbolizes the papal election period or the election of a new pope.
According to Guerrero, the new pontiff will be chosen in a process called the conclave, which means ‘locked door.’ It’s made up of 135 cardinal electors that will be locked inside the Sistine Chapel.
“Every day they’ll do two sessions,” he explained. “One in the morning and one in the afternoon for the voting–two voting processions. If they don’t reach a majority of two thirds, then they will continue voting until that happens.”
After each vote, the cardinals burn the ballots. The world will know they’ve chosen a new pope when white smoke comes out of the chimney over the Sistine Chapel.
The length of the conclave can vary widely, with Guerrero saying that in his eyes, only one entity knows how long it will take.
“It really depends on the Holy Spirit,” Guerrero replied. “But I think many in the church would like a Holy Father that will continue the legacy of Pope Francis and really show the face of mercy.”
As the bells toll in St. Peter’s Square, many look to the horizon guided by the memory of a pope who walked with them, not above them, and faith that his successor will lead with that same compassion.
A special memorial mass for Pope Francis will be held at Co-Cathedral of Saint Theresa Monday, April 28 at 6 p.m.