“When Francis came, first of all, he was the first pope from South America; his emphasis was mercy and hope,” Daly said. “But he wasn’t much for formalities. He went to the heart of the Gospel, which ...

For two unforgettable hours yesterday, as the sun poured down on the Vatican, a bitterly divided world came together.

World leaders and Catholic faithful bade farewell to Pope Francis in a funeral Saturday that highlighted his concern for the “most peripheral of the peripheries” and reflected his wishes as pastor.