-
Pope Francis’ body is carried in a coffin into Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on the day of its translation, as seen from Rome, Italy, April 23.
The Chaplain at Saint Benedict’s College in Bedfordview, Father Thabo Mothiba, says he hopes that the next pontiff will continue the work started by the late Pope Francis with a special focus on young people.
Pope Francis passed away on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest.
Mourners are gathering to pay their final respects as his body lies in state at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Mothiba says it’s important to prioritise young people as they are the church of today.
“We will always remember him as a man of action, someone who included everybody. And in my line (of) ministry and pastoral space, I work with young people and therefore he touched that space in a very beautiful way. So the next Pope potentially becomes someone who takes all of the good that Pope Francis had started and run with that, paying special focus to the young people, especially.”
Global Significance | Pope Francis’ body lies in state until funeral:
“A revolutionary global force”
Meanwhile, African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says Pope Francis was not just the head of the Catholic Church but a revolutionary spiritual force.
Mbalula led a party delegation at the memorial service in honour of the Holy Father in Johannesburg.
The ANC delegation has joined members of the Catholic community to honour the legacy of the pontiff.
Following the memorial service of His Holiness Pope Francis, we briefed members of the media with church leaders at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Johannesburg. #RIPPopeFrancis pic.twitter.com/GUkLg1hB8L
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) April 23, 2025
Mbalula described Pope Francis as someone who never hesitated to call for peace.
“Indeed, His Holiness, the Pope, was a friend of the global south, what we call a leader with spiritual enforcement. And Pope Francis was a bridge builder. Somebody who defined dogma. And even ventured into things that others dare not to, to a point that others will question him.”
