After the funeral mass on Saturday, Pope Francis will be buried outside the Vatican in St. Mary Major, a basilica in Rome. He will be the first pope in more than five centuries to be buried there.
The Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Barry Rawlings, has led local tributes following the passing of Pope Francis, praising the late pontiff’s legacy of compassion, humility, and service.
In a heartfelt message, Cllr Rawlings expressed condolences to those mourning the Pope’s death, noting the significance of his passing during a time of deep spiritual reflection for the Catholic community.
“My heartfelt sympathies go to all those who are affected by the sad loss of Pope Francis,” he said. “His passing is all the more poignant at this special time of year for members of the Catholic faith.”
Cllr Rawlings highlighted the Pope’s enduring dedication to social justice and care for the vulnerable: “Pope Francis was admired and respected for his commitment to serving the poor and championing the causes of the oppressed.”
Recalling the Pope’s choice of name, he added: “He once told reporters he took his papal name from St Francis of Assisi — ‘the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation.’ Pope Francis’s piety and humility are an inspiration for us all.”
