As the funeral bells tolled and the funeral of Pope Francis began, Mellieħa Vice-Mayor Matthew Borg Cuschieri who had a deeply personal connection to the late Pontiff shared an emotional tribute.
In a heartfelt message, the vice-mayor recalled how Pope Francis had left an unforgettable mark on his life, blessing his wedding in a spontaneous, genuine moment, during the Pope’s visit to Malta.
“Nothing was planned or organised,” he wrote, “and that’s why I admired him. Protocol and pomp never mattered to him — with him, the last truly came first.”
Reflecting on Pope Francis’ leadership, Matthew praised his efforts to make the Church more open, welcoming, and socially just. He described the Pope as someone who worked tirelessly to strip away unnecessary rigidity and superficiality from the Church, bringing it closer to the people.
He also highlighted Pope Francis’ strong emphasis on social justice, his defence of the poor, the sick, immigrants, and prisoners, his environmental advocacy, and his outspoken opposition to prejudice against the LGBTQ+ community.
“Bergoglio, you inspired so many,” the mayor wrote. “Our families and communities loved you.”
The tribute captured the profound impact Pope Francis had, not just as a spiritual leader, but as a true champion of humanity.
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