(ZENIT News / Rome, 11.02.2024).- On November 2, Pope Francis led a solemn liturgy at Rome’s Laurentino Cemetery, commemorating All Souls’ Day. Upon arrival, his first stop was the “Garden of Angels,” a small section dedicated to children who passed away before birth. As the Pope moved quietly among the gravestones adorned with toys and angel figurines, he paused for a silent prayer. He was met by the father of one of the children, Stefano, who shared a moment of grief and hope with the Pope, symbolizing the quiet, shared sorrow that permeates this sacred ground.
Unlike traditional liturgies, Pope Francis chose not to give a homily. Instead, he observed a moment of silent meditation, reflecting on the fragility and brevity of earthly life, echoing his recent call for compassion towards parents who have lost children. “Words of comfort can sometimes be hollow, however well-intentioned,” he remarked in a recent message on the universal pain of parental loss.
The poignancy of the day was underscored by a brief but heartfelt encounter with Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri. Under an unexpectedly sunny November sky, Gualtieri welcomed the Pope, who spent time greeting the gathered faithful, particularly those in wheelchairs. Pope Francis then offered a few personal words to each visitor, pausing to bless a young mother’s unborn child, a moment of life in the midst of remembrance.
During the Mass, the Pope led a reflective prayer, asking for God’s comfort for those grappling with loss and for wisdom to view death as a transition rather than an end. As the service concluded with the recitation of the “Eternal Rest” prayer, a respectful applause rose from the crowd. The day’s intimate gestures and unspoken empathy captured a deeply shared moment of both loss and hope, resonating with all those present as they bid farewell to loved ones.
Pope Francis’s departure was marked by one final blessing, his silent presence having left an imprint of compassion on the gathering, a reminder of the solidarity that binds people in times of sorrow and remembrance.
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