Some are praying; some are crying. Others, deep in thought, gaze at St. Peter’s Basilica as Cardinal Mauro Gambetti leads the rosary for Pope Francis in a St. Peter’s Square packed with faithful from all over the world. Among them is Yovana Aguikar, of Cali, Colombia. 

“I was already in Rome when I heard about Pope Francis’ death. It was a huge loss for me and my family. So I came to St. Peter’s to remember him. I’ve been here since this morning,” Aguikar said as those around her continued praying, their focus unwavering.

Federica Pesch said just after the ceremony ended: “It’s very sad that Pope Francis has died, but he did so many beautiful things in his life, and that’s why we must remember him. Now he is with God. We Christians shouldn’t fear death.” 

She’s originally from Germany but has lived in Italy for 30 years. Together with her husband, Tobias Wallbrecher, she is the president of the Ricordiamo Insieme Foundation, which works to preserve the memory of the Shoah.

They were also in St. Peter’s Square on the day Pope Francis was elected: “I cried a lot. I was so moved, because he’s truly a humble man,” Pesch said before she shared a memory of some months ago, when Francis, speaking from the window, noticed the Israeli flag she and her husband had brought with them and emphasized the importance of the flag as a symbol of peace. 

“Since Oct. 7, we’ve been coming here every Sunday,” Pesch said, glad to say one last goodbye to Francis along with the hundreds of people around her.