Pope Francis passed away today at the age of 88, on Easter Monday, in Fiscal, the hometown of António Variações. This location has, for decades, drawn thousands to the traditional Easter crossing of the Rio Homem by boat, a ritual that was observed again this year.
“Today is a sadder Easter. The Pope, who revolutionized the Church and brought significant changes to religion, has died. For me, he is the ‘Pope of popes’ and will remain in history and our hearts, in the hearts of everyone worldwide,” predicted Maria Cruz, 62, as she awaited the arrival of two crosses at Largo da Aleluia, on one bank of the river.
Gisela Ramos shared her mother’s sentiments, adding that Francis was “The Pope,” who made a lasting impact on people and the world.
“Everyone was deeply influenced by this Pope, his ideas, and how he led the Church in recent years. I believe he died in peace and that yesterday [Sunday], he fulfilled his wishes: he managed to appear and lead a mass, and no one will forget that,” stated the young woman, aged 32.
Around noon, despite the rain, a “crowd” lined the banks of the Rio Homem, some standing with umbrellas, others sitting on makeshift chairs, while three wooden boats adorned with flowers awaited the Easter procession, accompanied by recorded Easter music.
“It is a different, very sad Easter. We saw him just yesterday [Sunday] in Rome, giving his blessing, and today we woke up to the news of his death, leaving us very sad. He was a vibrant voice in the Church, cherished by all. He greatly transformed our Church, which had been somewhat closed and stuck in time,” expressed João Silva, a resident of Trofa, Porto district.
For his wife, the death of Francis is “a great loss,” not just for the Catholic Church but also for the world, which “respected and listened to” the pontiff.
“He leaves behind a generation, a more modern Church. I think this Pope will be remembered for this, as he had a progressive mindset and welcomed people of all backgrounds, young people, and all religions. Everyone liked and will continue to admire him, even though he is no longer with us, our Holy Father. The Church needs to be more modern and attractive to younger people. He captivated many young people,” highlighted Carla Alves, 52.
Echoing this sentiment, her husband recalled Francis’ presence at the World Youth Day in Lisbon in 2023, which brought together youth “from all over the world,” united by values championed by the Pope.
By 12:30, bells, held by children, rang to mark the arrival of the procession on one bank. The elaborately decorated crosses followed in the Easter procession, led by the priest, stewards, and finally, the music band.
The crosses were placed on a marble table at the site, and the choir sang some songs. The parish priest then read a passage from the Bible and delivered brief remarks.
“We are now gently descending the river called Homem, but today, on this day, it is the River of Life. Christ has risen, Hallelujah, Hallelujah,” concluded the ceremony, before the Easter procession boarded the boats.
As he waited to embark, Father Tiago Barbosa expressed his sorrow over the Pope’s death and what Francis leaves for the future.
“Pope Francis leaves a legacy of hope, closeness, and journeying forward. We are saddened by his passing, as he was a voice of reference and hope. However, he set the Church on a path of pilgrimage and hope, open to everyone, everywhere. We are all invited,” he stated, recalling the famous words of Francis.
Aboard the vessels, the Easter procession journeyed along the Rio Homem, amid the sound of fireworks, applause from thousands gathered along the riverbanks, and music played by the band spread across two of the boats.
The Easter crossing bridges two locations in the parish of Fiscal, ensuring the cross reaches every home. The crossing lasts just a few minutes, covering about 400 meters, always accompanied by firefighters’ divers.
