Pope Francis’ funeral this morning followed many traditions, but also included a few surprises, according to CNN’s Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb.
Here are some surprises of the day:
The pope’s final journey: Pope Francis was transferred from the Vatican to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in the popemobile this morning, passing through the streets of Rome full of mourners. “No one had foreseen that,” according to Lamb.
World leader meetings: US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met ahead of the funeral. “Francis throughout his life made repeated appeals for peace, for dialogue between world leaders. How fitting it was to see a meeting taking place” in St. Peter’s Basilica, Lamb said.
A hopeful energy: Lamb said that “whilst the service was somber, whilst it was serious, it was also hopeful,” mentioning that the massive audience in attendance erupted into spontaneous applause during points of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re’s homily at the pope’s funeral.
