Pope Francis led with love, served the poor, and remained close to his people until the very end, an image that defined his life and legacy, said Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, during his funeral mass.

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The mass that took place on Saturday, April 26, at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, drew thousands of mourners, including heads of state, government leaders, and official delegations from around the world.

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Cardinal Re, noted the spirit of a pontificate that changed the face of the Church through humility, compassion, and a commitment to humanity.

"Despite our sadness, we are sustained by the certainty of faith, human existence does not end in the tomb, but finds its fullness in the Father’s house.”

With deep emotion, he extended thanks to the many world leaders and official delegations who gathered in Vatican City to pay tribute to Pope Francis, an outpouring of affection that reflected the impact of his pontificate.

The final memory of Pope Francis, as described by Cardinal Re, remains etched in the collective memory, on Easter Sunday, on April 20, he appeared from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, blessing the crowd despite health concerns. Moments later, he came down to the square in his open popemobile to greet the faithful.

Recalling Christ’s call to Peter, "Do you love me? Feed my sheep,” Cardinal Re praised Pope Francis for embracing this sacred mission with dedication, even in frailty and suffering. From his election on March 13, 2013, through to his final days, he followed Christ’s path of service, giving himself entirely to the Church and to humanity.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires brought with him to the papacy a rich legacy from the Society of Jesus and over two decades of pastoral ministry.

His decision to adopt the name Francis signaled a clear pastoral direction, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, marked by humility, closeness to the poor, and a radical simplicity.

Cardinal Re described Pope Francis governed with directness and a desire to connect with people, particularly the marginalized.

"He was a Pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone, using his extraordinary ability to communicate complex Gospel truths with clarity, metaphor, and compassion.”

Evangelization, mercy, and fraternity were central themes of his pontificate. His first apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), embodied his mission to bring the Gospel to the world with renewed energy. He envisioned the Church as a "field hospital” for a wounded world, with its doors always open to everyone, regardless of belief or condition.

His tireless commitment to the poor and displaced was evident in his actions, his first papal journey to the island of Lampedusa, a symbol of the migration crisis; a visit to Lesbos alongside other religious leaders, and a Mass at the U.S.-Mexico border. Among 47 apostolic journeys, his 2021 trip to Iraq stood out as a courageous gesture of solidarity and interfaith outreach in a region scarred by violence.

In 2024, Pope Francis extended his reach to the farthest corners of Asia and Oceania, exemplifying his commitment to the "peripheries of the world.” His voice rose consistently against war, calling it "a tragic defeat for everyone” and urging the global community to build "bridges, not walls.”

He anchored his teachings in the Gospel of Mercy, declaring that God never tires of forgiving. This conviction culminated in the extraordinary jubilee of mercy, reinforcing that mercy is at the very heart of the Christian message.

Cardinal Re also highlighted Pope Francis’ global appeal for fraternity. His 2020 encyclical Fratelli Tutti rekindled the dream of universal brotherhood, insisting that "nobody can be saved alone.”

He carried that vision into his 2019 visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he signed a historic document on human fraternity for world peace and coexistence.

Pope Francis also became a passionate advocate for the environment. In Laudato Si’, he called on humanity to protect our common home, making ecological responsibility a spiritual and moral imperative for all.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis offered a message that was as human as it was holy, an appeal to conscience, compassion, and hope. His warmth, informal tone, and deep empathy made him a global moral leader, even among those far from the Church.

Cardinal Re concluded by saying, "Now, dear Pope Francis, we ask you to pray for us. Bless the Church, bless Rome, and bless the whole world, just as you did last Sunday.”