Pope Francis reaches for a balloon released by someone in the crowd during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 30. The power of God's forgiveness "is greater than our sins," the pope said in his audience talk. Pope Francis, formerly Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died April 21, 2025, at age 88. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) Pope funerals are more than just religious ceremonies. They create rare encounters – even between leaders of conflicting states. What potential does the funeral of Pope Francis have? “The funeral of a pope is no ordinary event,” says historian René Schlott. It is a religious and at the same time highly political moment, staged on…
