Good night, Pope Francis

Pope Francis leaves in the same manner he first came out as the new pope in 2013, when he appeared at the central loggia of St. Peter’s wearing only the white papal cassock and greeting “good evening” in Italian. He immediately charmed Rome and the world by asking first for the people’s blessing before he would bless them for the first time as bishop of Rome and as pope.

- TONYO CRUZ

Today, the body of Pope Francis is going to be buried in a simple tomb at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, home of his favorite Marian icon which he visited before leaving for every papal trip, and also upon every safe return.

By opting for a burial there, he would not only be near his beloved Salus Populi Romani. More importantly, he would remain close to the public, especially the ordinary folk. His grave is at a side of the nave, immediately accessible to anyone.

The world mourns and honors Pope Francis as a prophet of mercy and compassion.

He published Laudato Si, his landmark encyclical on climate change.

He refused to judge gays, and quietly shared lunch with transgenders of Rome. He ministered to Emmanuel, the grieving son of an atheist dad, who he told that God won’t abandon his father who had him baptized although he didn’t believe.

He condemned the victimization of migrants, and put himself and the church firmly on the side of the people of Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, and other conflict areas.