Catalonia declares three days of mourning after Pope Francis’ death

Catalonia’s president, Salvador Illa, signed a decree late on Monday evening declaring three days of official mourning for the death of Pope Francis. The period will take place from Tuesday to Thursday.

The days of mourning will coincide with Saint George’s Day or Sant Jordi, one of the biggest cultural events in the territory, also known as the Catalan Day of Love.

For this reason, the Catalan executive has decided to celebrate traditional events that promote literature, popular culture, and general cultural events.

But, according to a government statement, events that are not directly related to cultural promotion will be suspended until Thursday.

During the mourning period, flags on institutional buildings will fly at half-mast, while those displayed indoors will bear a black ribbon.

'Very modern Pope'

Pope Francis' followers bid farewell to the pontiff at Barcelona's Santa Llúcia church, highlighting he was a "very modern Pope for this time," Alexander Valeriano said. He was "open-minded" and tried "a revolution" within the church, he added.

Valeriano, born in Peru and currently residing in France, who was visiting Barcelona, said that because the Pope is from Latin America, they are significantly "affected" by the events.

Among the many visitors mourning Pope Francis, there was Maresme-resident Ismael Lardeo, who, despite not being a Catholic, praised the pontiff for "being a very solidary person, and a very different pope." 

He believes Pope Francis' ideas have reached a lot of people due to his social speech and his consciousness. Which is why, he says, Pope Francis "could be one of the most important people of this century."

'Poor and helpless' 

The Catalan president, Salvador Illa, signed the book of condolences for Pope Francis at Barcelona's Santa Llúcia chapel.

He said that the pontiff has always "placed the poor and the helpless at the center stage of the church in moments of historic change." Illa also praised the Pope's "message of peace, dialogue, and respect for the environment and social justice, which has reached all corners of the world." 

"A church of pastors and not princes," he also wrote down.

A word from Barcelona's Archbishop

Barcelona's Archbishop, Joan Josep Omella, highlighted the "vitality" and "tireless capacity for work" of Pope Francis during the Easter Octave Mass held at Barcelona's Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter. Praising the pontiff's inclusive spirit and recalling that for him "everyone had a place in the Church, both saints and sinners."  

"He came to transform the world into a more humane and livable place," the cardinal said. Omella travels to Rome on Tuesday to attend the pope’s funeral and the subsequent conclave. 

Omella also gave clarity in within speculations around him to be placed among the candidates to become the next Pope, saying that he will probably die as Archbishop of Barcelona, which is what he wishes to be.  

On the future of the Church, Omella remarked that whoever becomes the next Pope will "board a moving train, which is evangelization," and that each person can bring their own nuances.  

Regarding Pope Francis, he said that he made a "very strong" development in theology, pastoral care, and the Church’s concern for the poor, and stressed that "it is impossible for that to stop."