What the white rose on Francis’ grave means

Already on Saturday before the burial in the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, both a group of children and a group of homeless, migrants, victims of human trafficking, transsexuals, prisoners and representatives of the Roma community of white roses.

This flower had a special meaning for Francis, as he once explained. Since his time in Argentina, she has been symbolizing his connection with the St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897), according to Archbishop of Buenos Aires in an interview book. He always turned to Thérèse and her intercession with God with personal difficulties.

Read too: Pilgrims flock to Francis’ grave, thousands at Sunday mass

Almost always a white rose as a sign

“When I have a problem,” Jorge Bergoglio once explained, “I ask the saint not to solve it, but to take it in her hand and help me accept it.” As a sign, he almost always receives a white rose. So in his apartment in Buenos Aires as well as in Santa Marta, white roses often stood in a vase in the Vatican. Most recently, he had received them after his return from the Gemelli Clinic.

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