ALONG with millions around the world, I watched the funeral of Pope Francis with a lump in my throat.
I was fortunate enough to meet twice, in 2014 and 2017, and so I said a prayer for him.
I was immediately struck by his humility – and that’s why was such a fitting send-off.
On the one hand it was a moment of , and it was visually awe-inspiring in its scale and grandeur – a photographer’s dream.
Yet, it also reflected that the 88-year-old Pontiff was a man of the people, with 250,000 mourners in St Peter’s Square
That was shown in his choice of becoming the first not to be buried at the Vatican in 100 years.
Instead he chose Rome’s .
It was there he was ushered in by a group of prisoners and migrants.
Just as when I met him, there was a sense of grace, and a fearless break with convention.
He did it his way.
I hope the to replace him who is as humble as the Holy Father they buried today.
