General Buckingham attends funeral mass for Pope Francis

General Lyndon Buckingham in St Peter’s Square in the Vatican with thousands of mourners for the Pope’s funeral mass. (Photo courtesy of the General’s Facebook site)

General Lyndon Buckingham joined leaders from around the world in Rome yesterday for the funeral mass of Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church.

The Salvation Army’s world leader was accompanied by Canadian officers Lieut-Colonels Andrew and Darlene Morgan, who are the Army’s territorial leaders for Italy and Greece.

The 88-year-old pontiff died earlier this month after suffering a stroke and irreversible heart failure.

Dozens of leaders, dignitaries and royals joined about 200,000 mourners in St Peter’s Square in the Vatican for the funeral mass.

The ceremony was steeped in tradition, focusing on the Pope’s deep faith and characteristic humility.

“I am currently in Rome where I am attending the funeral service for Pope Francis,” General Buckingham posted on his Facebook site on Saturday.

“Earlier this week, I wrote to the Vatican expressing my deepest condolences to the Roman Catholic Church on behalf of the global Salvation Army.”

General Lyndon Buckingham with Lieut-Colonels Andrew and Darlene Morgan at the funeral mass. (Photo courtesy of the Canadian Salvationist Magazine Facebook site.)

Honouring the presence of its officers at the funeral mass, The Canadian Salvationist Magazine Facebook site stated:

“As an indication of respect and an acknowledgement of the important ecumenical relationship with the Roman Catholic Church, General Lyndon Buckingham attended the funeral mass for Pope Francis today, accompanied by territorial leaders, Lt-Colonels Andrew and Darlene Morgan, officers from Canada.

“The Salvation Army is grateful for the ecumenical dialogue fostered under Pope Francis’ pontificate and the encouragement and challenge Pope Francis offered to the Army.

“Pope Francis, in remembering an encounter with Salvationists at a young age, said that the Army’s ‘example of humble service to the least of our brothers and sisters spoke louder than any words’.

“The Salvation Army honours the memory of Pope Francis and appreciates his challenge to acts of service and Christian witness. Indeed, may we be Salvationists who exude that much-needed genuine self-giving love.”