
" Thank you to all the world leaders who show love for the Pope ," Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re said in St. Peter's Square during the funeral ceremony honoring Pope Francis.
"What the late Pope did touched our hearts and thoughts. The last image we will remember is that of Easter, when he blessed the faithful and greeted people from his car, even though he had health problems. He followed the example of the Good Shepherd who loved his people so much that he gave his life for them."
Further, the cardinal added: "Francis wanted to be close to everyone, especially those who were in difficulty. He gave all his energy to helping the poor and those who were neglected. He was full of love and spoke even for those who were far from the Church, because for him, the Church must always be open to everyone."
The oldest cardinal also recalled the Pope's first trip after his election, to the island of Lampedusa, as well as the visit to Lesbos together with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Archbishop of Athens, Ieronymos.
He emphasized that these visits were intended to help migrants and refugees, because, as Francis said: “We are all part of one human family and no one can be saved alone.”
"Pope Francis always sought peace and said that there must be honest talks, because war only brings death and destruction, and it is always a loss," the Italian cardinal concluded.