Thousands of faithful on Tuesday evening gather in St. Peter’s Square to pray the Rosary for the soul of Pope Francis.
The Rosary prayer was led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.
Under the twilight sky, religious sisters, priests, and lay faithful from around the world unite in prayer for the late pontiff who often concluded his public appearances with the simple request: “Please, don’t forget to pray for me.”
Before beginning the Rosary, Cardinal Re reminds those present that “death is not a door that closes, but rather the entrance to the heavenly Jerusalem, where mourning is turned into dancing and the garment of grief into a robe of joy.”
The Rosary, focused on the Glorious Mysteries, highlighted the Church’s unity in grief and hope. “It is the entire flock of Christ, the Good Shepherd, that prays for Pope Francis,” Cardinal Re says.
This communal prayer marks one of several public moments of mourning scheduled before Pope Francis’ funeral, which will take place on Saturday.
