Theatine Presence at the Farewell to Pope Francis
On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the universal Church gathered in prayer to bid farewell to His Holiness Pope Francis. The Funeral Mass, celebrated in St. Peter’s Square, brought together faithful, ecclesiastical and civil authorities from all over the world in a ceremony filled with gratitude and affection for the Holy Father.
The Order of Clerics Regular (Theatines) was present at this historic event. Representing the Order were the Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Marcelo R. Zubia, C.R., the Rector of the Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle in Rome, Rev. Fr. João Marcos Boranelli, C.R., along with Rev. Fathers Henrique Nunes Oliveira and Luis Alcántara, CC.RR..
During the moving procession that accompanied the Holy Father’s casket from St. Peter’s Basilica to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the cortege passed in front of our beloved Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle, a deeply significant place for the Theatine family.
The passage of the casket in front of our Basilica was lived with deep emotion, as if Pope Francis, in his final earthly pilgrimage, had wished to greet once again the house of Saint Cajetan’s sons.
We lift up our prayers to the Lord for the soul of Pope Francis, giving thanks for his humble, merciful, and missionary spirit.
May eternal light shine upon him!
