Cork priest 'very blessed' to be in St Peter's Square for Pope Francis' funeral

A Cork priest who attended the funeral of Pope Francis over the weekend described it as “calm and respectful”, but also a “once in a lifetime experience”.

Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, was laid to rest on Saturday morning in a funeral attended by world leaders, royalty, and thousands of faithful in Rome.

The Mass was attended by an estimated total of 200,000 people, according to the Vatican.

Cobh-based priest, Fr Aquin Casey, told The Echo he felt “very blessed” to have been there.

Scale

“If people have ever been to an All-Ireland final in Croke Park, I am not sure how much you would multiply it by, but it was my first time ever experiencing anything at this scale of people attending at the one time and leaving at the one time.

“But having said all that, it was so calm and respectful. Before the Mass, which was something I had never experienced, they said the rosary...and it calmed everyone down.

“It was certainly the holy spirit working I think to get everybody in. We weren’t there for a concert or an event. It was like any other Mass really and the prayers were the same, but of course on a bigger scale obviously and with the Vatican choir."

“So I would have to say it was a once in a lifetime experience to be actually there for it.

“There was great unity, respect and participation.”

Privileged

Jennifer Buckley, a religion teacher at Coláiste Muire in Cobh, was also there for the funeral.

“I said I would get up early and head down and hope for the best. I was extremely lucky to get into St Peter’s Square for the Mass,” she told The Echo.

“I had a really good spot right in front of the altar, so I could see what was happening. I was next to a screen as well which was lovely. But it was just a huge sense of being privileged to be in the square and to be part of the Mass for Pope Francis.”

Ms Buckley added: “Obviously it was a funeral so it was sad. But there was a lovely sense of remembrance and calmness. It was the same on Friday. I went into St Peter’s Basilica to see Pope Francis lying in repose. I queued for maybe two hours. But once you entered the Basilica, it was just so calm and everyone was so respectful.”

Legacy

Meanwhile, political leaders across Ireland have reflected on the legacy of Pope Francis after attending his funeral.

President Michael D Higgins led the Irish delegation with his wife Sabina Higgins. Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris were also in attendance, alongside ambassador to the Vatican, Frances Collins.

Speaking to reporters after the funeral, Mr Higgins said: “Pope Francis was — and will remain —an incredible source of hope.”

In a statement, Mr Martin said: “It was an honour to represent the Government and people of Ireland at the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis, and to reflect on and appreciate the remarkable achievements of his life.”