This morning 200,000 faithful from all over the world gathered to bid farewell to Pope Francis. Among the authorities in the front row before the papal canopy there was the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra’ John T. Dunlap, who led an official delegation composed by the Grand Commander, Fra’ Emmanuel Rousseau, the Grand Chancellor, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, the Grand Hospitaller Josef D. Blotz, and the Receiver of the Common Treasure Fabrizio Colonna.

The solemn funeral was celebrated by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, and concelebrated by other 980 cardinals, bishops and priests. In his homily, the cardinal recalled Pope Francis’ tireless commitment to peace, social justice and the inclusion of the marginalised: “The guiding thread of his mission was also the conviction that the Church is a home for all, a home with its doors always open. He often used the image of the Church as a “field hospital” after a battle in which many were wounded; a Church determined to take care of the problems of people and the great anxieties that tear the contemporary world apart; a Church capable of bending down to every person, regardless of their beliefs or condition, and healing their wounds.”

With his presence, the Grand Master renewed the homage and prayers of the entire Order of Malta to the Argentine pontiff, who has guided the Church with humility, firmness and mercy for over a decade. With its mission of assisting the poor and suffering, the Order has found in Pope Francis a spiritual guide and supporter of the values it promotes through its countless charitable works around the world. Throughout his Pontificate, received the Order’s delegation in audience on the occasion of St John’s the Baptist, following with great interest and encouragement the Grand Master’s annual report on the works of the Order around the world to help those in need.

“The Order of Malta has always received the support and closeness of the Holy Father in its service to the sick and the most vulnerable – recalled the Grand Master -. It is our duty, today more than ever, to give thanks for His Pontificate and to pray that the Lord will grant Him the reward promised to faithful servants.”