A nonpareil farewell that befits Pope Francis

With nonpareil gestures, the world bid farewell to His Holiness Pope Francis who lived on Earth for 89 years, 12 of which he spent as head the Catholic Church, as well as head of the Vatican and the Holy See. He was a friend to all those who knocked on his door or made mutual visits.

Undoubtedly, the "Pope Francis' status" represented a rare model of openness and a constant demand for respecting the dignity of all people regardless of their religion, race, or social rank. This is what Pope Francis sought to spread and instill in people's hearts and consciences, whether during his meetings with world leaders and heads of international organizations, or in his meetings with church institutions and all people, young and old, whom he met and loved to meet him in the Vatican or in the countries that he visited. Pope Francis left the Vatican and Italy 47 times, making numerous foreign visits annually despite his physical ailments he suffered from in recent years, yet he remained determined to travel and meet people in various countries. Before and after every visit, he would visit the icon of Mary at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major to entrust him on his apostolic journey. Upon his return, he would thank Her for the success of his visit. He intended to be laid in this church to be close to the place so dear to him.

We certainly had our share one of his visits in 2014, which strengthened and reinforced the diplomatic relations between Jordan and the Holy See, as both enjoy good relationship--officially established in 2004-- that can only be described as friendly. As His Majesty King Abdullah II and Her Majesty Queen Rania took part in the funeral of Pope John Paul II in April 2005, they also participated in the funeral of Pope Francis in April 2025, as a sign of loyalty to the good relations between the two friendly countries, as well as a manifestation of loyalty to the personal friendship that brought Pope Francis and His Majesty the King together five times in the Vatican, in addition to the meeting at the Artificial Intelligence Forum organized by the G-7. The meeting in Jordan brought together the two leaders, where His Majesty received him at Al Husseiniya Palace and then accompanied them, along with Her Majesty Queen Rania and His Royal Highness Prince Al-Hussein Ibn Abdullah on his historic visit to the Baptism Site. This visit reinforced Jordan's lofty message that we are a holy land and that Lord Jesus Christ was baptized on this side of the Jordan River.

Following the magnificent and solemn funeral of Pope Francis, we can say that humanity--despite its setbacks, wars, killings, and destruction--is capable of producing individuals who defend human dignity and sacrifice their lives for "human fraternity," a matter Pope Francis championed, as it was not merely a document he signed with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Abu Dhabi, but also a way of life he sought to spread throughout the entire world.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re (90 years old), dean of the College of Cardinals and the oldest cardinal, summed up what lurks in our hearts and minds in his sermon at the Requiem Mass attended by millions of people when he said: "Pope Francis ended every meeting and audience by saying, 'Please do not forget to pray for me'." Today, dear Pope Francis, we ask you to pray for us and to bless from Heaven the Church, Rome, and the entire world, as you did last Sunday from the balcony of this basilica in your final encounter with all the People of God, and from ideal perspective to bless humanity that seeks the truth with a sincere heart and holds high the torch of hope.

Amen. As we entrust kind-hearted Pope Francis to the Divine Mercy, we ask the Almighty Lord to send to the ship of Peter a new guide, who will humbly and wisely guide it to the shore of security, safety, and faith.

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