The Irish Independent’s View: Pope Francis’s greatest legacy may well turn out to be his successor

Independent.ie - 03:30
There was an overflowing of warm tributes from global government leaders right across the political spectrum. We have also witnessed profound grieving by ordinary people in Rome. Both speak eloquently of Pope Francis’s legacy to humankind.

The late, beloved Pope was truly a man of the people who reached out to the poor and the marginalised, eschewed harsh judgment of human frailties, and epitomised the universal love and charity at the heart of his message.

The simplicity he has requested for his obsequies is also typical of the man who tried to open up the Catholic Church to make it more inclusive of ordinary people.

Pope Francis’s funeral will take place on Saturday in front of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, featuring simpler rituals in keeping with the more down-to-earth style that became a trademark of Francis’s papacy.

Many political and religious leaders will attend the Pope’s funeral. But there will be a different ...
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