40 pilgrims unexpectedly attend Pope Francis' funeral

It was Easter Monday morning and Fr Neil Peoples, Vocations Director for Nottingham Diocese, was busy packing his suitcase when he heard that the Pope had died. Although sad, he wasn’t surprised- Pope Francis had been ill for some time- but he still felt a sense of shock as he watched the news unfold. After all, Pope Francis had greeted the crowds in St Peter’s Square, only the day before.
 
He and Fr John Martin were due to take a group of young people to Rome that week, for the canonisation of the first millennial saint-Blessed Carlo Acutis- which was scheduled for the Sunday. But it was immediately clear that the Pope’s funeral would now be the purpose of their six-day trip, and the canonisation would be paused.
 

But Fr Neil and Fr John had already prepped the pilgrims for this eventuality, and they travelled to Rome as planned. Their first stop was Assisi, renowned for the patronage of St Francis and St Clare, and now home to the resting place of Blessed Carlo Acutis who died from leukaemia in 2016, at the age of 15.
 
Seeing the teenager’s tomb, “blew me out of the water” Fr John, says. “He was lying there in his trainers, his jeans, his hoody; just holding his Rosary.”
‍

‍

John Patrick Jones and Jakob McGuinness, young adults who were part of the pilgrimage, tell me how Blessed Carlo Acutis has inspired them in trying to tread the path to holiness. “He is a great inspiration,” Jakob says, “because he was that young lad who loved to play on his Xbox, loved to do all the things which young people do- he was so relatable!”
 
Blessed Carlo was an unusual combination; he loved computer games, but he loved the Eucharist even more. He had a natural flair for technology and at the age of only 11, he designed a website which documented 150 Eucharistic miracles. He described the Eucharist as a "highway to heaven.”
 
His inspiring legacy galvanised Fr John and Fr Neil to book 36 seats to Rome as soon as his canonisation date was announced, which were all promptly filled by young people and some of their parents. Among those on the flight were 2 seminarians and a religious sister.
 
The trip was sponsored by several benefactors along with the Mission Enabling Fund, Derby Deaneries and Leicestershire Deaneries.
 
Given that many mourners had originally intended to witness the canonisation of Blessed Carlo, young people maintained a significant presence, as Rome said farewell to its Bishop.
 
“It was a fitting tribute” Fr Neil reflected, explaining that Pope Francis was always energised by the young and his funeral also coincided with the Jubilee of Youth.
 
Along with the theme of youth, both priests observed a strong love of peace among the mourners, who applauded President Zelensky of Ukraine as he arrived in St Peter’s Square. 
 

‍

“Somehow from his home in heaven, Pope Francis managed to engineer a meeting between President Trump and President Zelensky,” says Father John. “In St Peter’s Square, there was a sombre mood but a joyous atmosphere.”
 
The highlight of the papal funeral for John Patrick was watching “hundreds of the most important people” bow before the Pope’s coffin. “It made my hairs stand on edge and it made me emotional how much love the world had for him. The Pope I grew up with is gone now.”
 
What now? The Vatican is yet to announce a new canonisation for the millennial saint, so let’s watch this space…