I was struck by Pope Francis’ humility when I met him – and that’s why his funeral was such a fitting send-off

ALONG with millions around the world, I watched the funeral of Pope Francis with a lump in my throat.

I was fortunate enough to meet the Pope twice, in 2014 and 2017, and so I said a prayer for him.

The Sun

Prince Charles with Arthur Edwards and Pope Francis in 2017[/caption]

Reuters

The Pope was ushered in by a group of prisoners and migrants[/caption]

Reuters

250,000 mourners came to St Peter’s Square to pay their respects[/caption]

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Pope Francis was a man of the people[/caption]

I was immediately struck by his humility – and that’s why his funeral was such a fitting send-off.

On the one hand it was a moment of history, and it was visually awe-inspiring in its scale and grandeur – a photographer’s dream.

Yet, it also reflected that the 88-year-old Pontiff was a man of the people, with 250,000 mourners in St Peter’s Square paying their respects.

That was shown in his choice of becoming the first Pope not to be buried at the Vatican in 100 years.

Instead he chose Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

It was there he was ushered in by a group of prisoners and migrants.

Just as when I met him, there was a sense of grace, and a fearless break with convention.

He did it his way.

I hope the Conclave pick a new Pope to replace him who is as humble as the Holy Father they buried today.