Divastating.News: President Raffaella Petrini uttered words concerning the pope’s death today…….
VATICAN CITY — In an atmosphere thick with mourning and solemn reverence, President of the Vatican City State, Sister Raffaella Petrini, addressed the global Catholic community and the world at large following the death of Pope Francis. The 88-year-old pontiff passed away on April 21, 2025, due to complications from a cerebral stroke and irreversible heart failure, marking the end of an era defined by compassion, reform, and unprecedented openness.
Sister Petrini, one of the highest-ranking women in the Vatican and a trusted figure in the late pope’s inner circle, delivered a heartfelt message from the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica just hours after the Holy See confirmed the pope’s passing.
“With a heavy heart, we bid farewell to a shepherd who walked humbly with his flock,” Petrini said, her voice firm yet mournful. “Pope Francis reminded us of the Gospel’s call to love, to serve, and to embrace the marginalized. His legacy is one of tenderness, courage, and unwavering faith.”
Her brief but powerful remarks were met with a deep silence across St. Peter’s Square, where thousands had gathered in prayer, many holding rosaries and candles, some openly weeping.
The pope had been recovering from a recent hospitalization for double pneumonia, but his condition took a dire turn in the days leading up to his death. According to the Vatican’s medical team, he suffered a massive cerebral stroke that led to a coma and eventually, heart failure.
President Petrini led the first Rosary in his memory later that evening, choosing Scripture passages and intentions that echoed Pope Francis’s devotion to the poor, the environment, and interfaith dialogue. As she read, her composure radiated strength, but her sorrow was unmistakable.
She spoke not only as an administrator of the Vatican City State but also as a symbol of Pope Francis’s efforts to elevate the role of women within the Church. Under his leadership, Petrini was appointed to her historic role in 2021, breaking centuries of male-dominated hierarchy and paving the way for greater inclusivity.
“His Holiness saw not titles, but hearts. He empowered women not out of obligation, but out of conviction,” she said. “I will carry forward that mission with the same compassion he showed us all.”
Pope Francis’s body was transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing, where it will lie in state until the funeral on April 26. Tens of thousands of pilgrims are expected to pay their respects. He will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, honoring his final wish to rest near his beloved image of the Virgin Mary, the Salus Populi Romani.
The late pontiff, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope. Elected in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Francis was known for his humility, progressive stances on social issues, and his tireless advocacy for peace and justice.
His death has triggered an outpouring of tributes from religious and political leaders across the globe. UN Secretary-General António Guterres hailed him as “a moral compass in turbulent times,” while President Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, stated, “The world has lost a leader of conscience, a voice for the voiceless.”
Petrini’s words captured the grief and gratitude of millions. As the sun set over the Vatican, her final lines lingered: “We do not say goodbye, Holy Father, but thank you. Thank you for showing us the face of Christ in a fractured world.”
The coming days will bring further mourning and reflection, but also the beginning of the solemn process to elect a new pope. Until then, the Vatican and its faithful look to figures like President Raffaella Petrini to shepherd them through this time of profound loss.
