Upon the death of Pope Francis, a correspondent was assigned to report from Italy in advance of taking up a new role as the Rome bureau chief. Initially expecting to cover the end of Francis’s papacy, the correspondent attended his funeral and the preceding events.
On a holiday in Italy, the correspondent joined thousands of locals, tourists, and pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square to pay their respects. Despite not yet having received a press badge, the atmosphere prompted them to remain in line, experiencing a mix of languages and cultures among the crowd, which included nuns, elderly individuals, and youth groups.
The sense of order in the line was relaxed, with attendees calmly navigating the crowds. While entering the square, the correspondent experienced a diverse range of emotions from the crowd, with some singing prayers and interacting warmly, despite the solemn circumstances.
Among those in line was Shawn Hopkins, a sheriff’s deputy from Michigan, visiting Rome with family. He shared that his mother had fulfilled a lifelong dream by coming to the city, and he expressed a deep connection to Francis, who he viewed as a “decent guy.” He also honored his late partner, providing insight into his personal motives for attending.
Another individual, Chelsea Yu from Taiwan, articulated the emotional impact of seeing the pope’s body, linking her experience to ongoing reflections on death and her values of inclusivity and environmental stewardship. The diverse crowd, while holding varying opinions about the pope, united in shared respect and support for community.
After waiting for two and a half hours, the correspondent had a brief moment to say goodbye to the pope, observing his simple coffin as members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard stood vigil. In a personal gesture, the correspondent bowed and pressed their hands together in farewell.