Hello my dear readers 🙏 This past week in Rome was unlike any other I’ve experienced. I’ve visited the Eternal City three times, and each visit has brought its own kind of wonder: golden ruins, cobblestone strolls, fountains, food, and that feeling that you’re walking through the heart of history. But this time, something shifted…
As I stood in St. Peter’s Square, both under the soft light of day and the hush of night, I found myself witnessing something far more intimate and globally significant: a city, a people, and a world beginning to mourn the passing of Pope Francis.
By Day: The Sacred Pulse of the Vatican
During the day, St. Peter’s was full of quiet reverence. Pilgrims, travelers, and locals moved slowly through the square; many gathered in silent prayer, others simply sat, gazing up at the Basilica’s grand dome. Even the fountains seemed quieter. There was a feeling in the air, not exactly sadness, but stillness. The kind of sacred calm that only descends when something momentous is about to shift.
By Night: A Farewell Felt Around the World
That evening, I returned to the square. I didn’t plan to, I was drawn. And I wasn’t alone. Candles flickered gently on the ground. Groups of people stood side by side without speaking. Some crossed themselves, others cried quietly. It wasn’t a ceremony, it was something deeper. It was collective mourning.
Some held candles, others rosaries. A group sang softly in Italian. One woman knelt near the fountain, her hands clasped in prayer. The golden glow from the Basilica bathed the crowd in light, as if the square itself were cradling the grief of thousands. There’s something powerful about standing among strangers who are all feeling the same thing. The Vatican at night is always beautiful, but that night it was profound.
Remembering Pope Francis
Born in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis was the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to lead the Roman Catholic Church. Elected in 2013, he quickly became known for his humility, simplicity, and progressive tone, often focusing on mercy, inclusion, and service to the marginalized.
From championing climate action to advocating for compassion toward migrants and the poor, his message was consistent: lead with love. He reminded the world that faith can be lived in action, that power is not the same as purpose, and that kindness has no borders.
“The world tells us to seek success, power and money; God tells us to seek humility, service and love.” — Pope Francis
The Conclave Begins
As I write this, the Conclave has begun. Cardinals from around the world are gathering in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pope. The white smoke has not yet risen, but the anticipation across Rome is palpable. Even as a new chapter begins, the legacy of Pope Francis lives on: in policy, in memory, and in the quiet prayers of those who walked through St. Peter’s Square this week.
📌 Did You Know? The Vatican is the world’s smallest independent country, and St. Peter’s Basilica is built above what is believed to be the tomb of Saint Peter, one of Jesus’ original twelve apostles.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t the Vatican visit I expected. It wasn’t about grandeur or spectacle. It was about quiet connection, about presence, about witnessing a moment where grief and grace met in the same space.
Pope Francis showed us that leadership can be gentle, powerful, and deeply human. His passing was not just a religious event, it was a global moment of reflection.
Rest in peace, Holy Father. 🕊️
May your light continue to guide hearts across the world.
xoxo,
Bubbly 💖
