Cardinal Re: We thank God for the gift of 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� ministry
Vatican News
"Hearing the words echo in our hearts, 鈥楧o not forget to pray for me,鈥� which we heard so many times from 杏MAP导航 Francis, we want to pray for him this evening." With these words, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, opened the Rosary on Tuesday evening, 22 April, in St. Peter鈥檚 Square, in suffrage for 杏MAP导航 Francis, who returned to the Father鈥檚 embrace yesterday morning, Easter Monday, in his apartment at Casa Santa Marta.
"In the faith of the Risen Christ, which we celebrate on this holy day of Easter," said the 91-year-old Cardinal鈥攚ho will preside over the funeral Mass for the 杏MAP导航 on Saturday, 26 April 鈥�"we know that death is not a door that closes but the entrance to the heavenly Jerusalem, where mourning is turned into joy, and sackcloth into garments of joy, in the immensity of God's love." He then invited everyone to 鈥渢hank the Lord for the gifts He gave to the whole Church through the apostolic ministry of 杏MAP导航 Francis, a pilgrim of hope who does not disappoint.鈥�
Just as on the day of the passing of 杏MAP导航 Francis, and earlier between February and March during his long hospitalization at Rome's Gemelli Hospital due to bilateral pneumonia, many faithful once again gathered in prayer this evening under Bernini鈥檚 colonnade. At the end of a warm springlike day, many held copies of "L鈥橭sservatore Romano" from 21 April dedicated to the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 death.
Joined in spirit by countless 鈥渂rothers and sisters around the world,鈥� the Cardinal highlighted how they formed 鈥渢he entire flock of Christ, the Good Shepherd, praying for 杏MAP导航 Francis while contemplating the glorious mysteries of our Savior.鈥� The Cardinal then entrusted the late 杏MAP导航 鈥渢o the Merciful Father, in communion with Mary, Mother of the Church, Queen of Heaven, and through the intercession of the Apostle Peter.鈥�
In front of the image of "Mary, Mother of the Church", placed on the steps of St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica and adorned with a bouquet of white and pink flowers, Cardinal Re led the Marian prayer, entrusting the beloved 266th Successor of Peter to the Virgin鈥檚 intercession. After meditating on the Glorious Mysteries, the celebrant invoked God as 鈥済reat in love,鈥� giving thanks 鈥渇or the gifts He has bestowed on the Church through the apostolic ministry of 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥濃�攁 witness to the Lord and His 鈥渢enderness for the little ones and the poor, mercy for sinners, and kindness toward all.鈥� Finally, as the Roman sky darkened, the assembly sang the "Salve Regina" and ended with applause as Cardinal Re gave his blessing.
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