Jorge Bergoglio presided from the balcony of the Basilica of San Pedro his last religious ceremony before his death. Days before had resumed activities, including an emotional visit to a prison in Rome.
He Pope Francis died on Monday at 7:35 in the morning local time In Rome, according to the Vatican. His last public appearance took place last Sunday, April 20, during the Easter Massin which, although visibly weakened, He participated from the central balcony of the Basilica of San Pedro. There the traditional pronounced “Urbi et Orbi” blessingleaving a blunt message in favor of peace and religious freedom.
Sitting in a wheelchair and without oxygen cannulas, Jorge Mario Bergoglio called to guarantee the Freedom of religion, thought and expression as essential conditions for peace. “There can be no peace without religious freedom and respect for the opinions of others,” he said before Some 35,000 faithful gathered in the Plaza de San Pedro.
A Pascual message with strong political and social tone
During his speech, the Argentine Pope urged the world’s political leaders not to succumb to “The logic of fear that isolates”and urged them Use public resources to attend the most vulnerable. “These are the weapons of peace: those that build future, not those that sow death,” he said firmly.
He also referred to the ongoing war conflicts, especially to the humanitarian drama in Loopclaiming a cessation of fire, the Liberation of Hostages and urgent shipping of humanitarian aid. His tone was serious, direct and deeply human, faithful to his pastoral and political style.
“I live how I can”: the most intimate Easter of the pontiff
Easter 2025 was, without knowing it, the last Holy Week of Francisco. The resurrection Sunday mass was officiated by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, but the pontiff briefly greeted a “good Easter” To the faithful. In previous days, he had been discharged after 38 days of hospitalization for bilateral pneumoniawhich limited its presence in much of the liturgical calendar.
However, that did not prevent him fulfill one of its most beloved traditions: Visit the Regina Coeli prisonas did every Holy Thursday since 2013. In a wheelchair, he shared an encounter with 70 inmatesto those who dedicated words of encouragement and closeness. “Every time I enter a place I wonder: why do they and not me?”, He reflected to the microphones.
Consulted by the press about how Holy Week lived, he replied with humor: “I am sitting”, causing laughter among the reporters. His presence was celebrated with applause by prison personnel.
A silent farewell, but eloquent
Despite his delicate state of health, Pope Francis continued to fulfill functions until the end. In his last days, he also received the staff of the Gemelli Hospital, where he had been hospitalized, as a gesture of thanks.
Francisco’s image on the balcony of San Pedro, weak but firm, will be like the last act of a pontificate signed by humility, social commitment and the search for global peace. His earthly farewell was serene and consistent with everything he preached for more than a decade at the head of the Catholic Church.
Source: Ambito
