Ismael lives in Barcelona, Spain. He confesses that he distanced himself from the Catholic Church for two decades, but Pope Francis' testimony touched his heart and brought him back.
Now, with a backpack on his shoulder and emotion on his face, he was "first in line" to say his final farewell: he spent the night on the sidewalk of Via della Conciliazione to attend the funeral of the Pope who changed his life.
Thousands of faithful gathered at the Vatican on Saturday, April 26, to attend Pope Francis' funeral Mass. Rome City Council reported that more than 400,000 people gathered in Saint Peter's Square and the streets leading to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major to bid farewell to the Holy Father.
Since Friday night, pilgrims worldwide have lined up to enter Saint Peter's Square and bid their final farewell to the Pope.
Among them was Ismael, sitting on a sidewalk near the Basilica, carrying a backpack bearing the phrase:
"In the Church we all fit, all, all. I returned to the Church thanks to you," alongside an image of Pope Francis.
Speaking with EWTN, Ismael shared that he would spend the entire night there to be part of this historic moment and say goodbye to the person who shaped his faith.
"I was out of the Church for 20 years, even apostatized, and five years ago I returned to the Church thanks to Pope Francis, for the messages he gave of openness, of welcoming everyone, and I returned. And since I'm so grateful for this return home, that's why I came to say goodbye."
At his side was Delia, a friend who accompanied him at this farewell vigil and who also wanted to highlight the importance of Pope Francis in her life:
“And I, thanks to him, have renewed my faith.”
