Saying Goodbye to Pope Francis:

On April 26, 2025, a huge crowd gathered at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican to say
goodbye to Pope Francis. 
             More than 250,000 people were there — ordinary people, priests, and even world leaders
like Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Prince
William.

            There was a feeling of sadness in the air, but also love and respect for a man who gave so
much hope to the world.

       A Simple and Beautiful Farewell

           Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88.
           He led the Catholic Church for 12 years, but he always stayed humble.
           He cared deeply about the poor, the sick, refugees, and the environment.

He didn’t want a grand funeral.
          He asked for a plain wooden coffin and a simple ceremony — no gold, no fancy displays.
          Just prayers, love, and the people he spent his life serving.

      His Final and Strongest Message

         During the funeral, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re spoke about Pope Francis’s biggest
lesson to the world:

“Build bridges, not walls.”

         It’s a powerful reminder.
         Francis always believed that people should come together, help one another, and not let anger
or fear divide them.
         His words felt even stronger with so many world leaders sitting there — a soft but clear
message for everyone.

A Life Full of Love and Service

         Pope Francis was not just a leader; he was a man of the people.
         He spent his life:

• Helping the poor and homeless

• Fighting for the environment

• Bringing different religions closer together

• Speaking for justice, fairness, and peace

         Even when he became very sick, he kept blessing people, never stopping until his very last
Easter Sunday.

His Final Resting Place

         Pope Francis will be laid to rest quietly in a simple church he loved, next to an image of
        Mother Mary.
         No royal tomb, no marble statues — just peace, prayer, and the love of the people.

    In Short:

Pope Francis taught us that love, kindness, and unity are what matter most.
      His final words — “Build bridges, not walls” — will stay with us forever.

      He may be gone, but his spirit will continue to guide the world.