Funeral Mass for Pope Francis held in Kaliningrad

On the evening of April 25, a funeral mass for Pope Francis was held at St. Adalbert's Church in Kaliningrad. It was headed by Bishop Nikolai Dubinin.

In an interview with Izvestia, the priest recalled that the news of the pontiff's death came the day after Easter, on Easter Monday. According to him, not only the entire Catholic Church is grieving for the deceased, but also many people of other faiths.

"During his 12-year pontificate, Pope Francis was very well known around the world and enjoyed well-deserved authority and respect. And that's why we (Catholics. Billions of people all over the planet sympathize," Bishop Nicholas added.

Irina, a parishioner of St. Adalbert's Church, in turn, said that Pope Francis has always been an example for her and other Catholics — he showed how to love people, help the poor and be close to God.

"It is with deep sorrow and loss that Pope Francis has passed away," she said.

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On April 26, the funeral of the pontiff will be held in Rome, which will be attended by a total of 50 heads of state, including US President Donald Trump. Russia will be represented at the ceremony by Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova. Even before the funeral, many people came to say goodbye to the leader of all Catholics near the church of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Pope Francis died on the morning of April 21 at the age of 89. According to Professor Andrea Archangeli, director of the Vatican's Office of Health and Hygiene, death occurred as a result of a cerebral stroke. On the occasion of his death, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram of condolences to the Camerlengo of the Roman Catholic Church to Farrell.