Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re’s homily at Pope Francis’ funeral, delivered in a crowded and sorrowful St. Peter’s Square, was not merely a eulogy for an exceptional Pontiff. In a deeper sense, it was a serene and firm gaze upon the legacy left behind, and a silent meditation on the challenges now weighing upon the Church, which will soon elect a new Successor of Peter. Between the lines, his meditation invites us to ask: What kind of pope does the Church need today? What do the faithful— and the world— hope for from the one who will soon occupy the Chair of Peter?

1. The Echo of a Papacy Characterized by Mercy and Closeness

Cardinal Re shaped his homily around three pillars that defined Francis’ pontificate: mercy, the culture of encounter, and the preferential option for the poor. Each of these themes— the backbone of his magisterium and pastoral action— now point toward the road that the next pope will hardly be able to avoid.

The insistence on a “field hospital Church” was not mere metaphor: it represented a deep shift in paradigm. Instead of centering its mission on maintaining structures, Francis moved the focus to serving the wounded of the world. It will be of great importance, therefore, that the next pope also be a man of the Gospel of mercy, capable of continuing to place the human being— especially the wounded, the forgotten— at the center of ecclesial concern.

It will not be enough to have a skilled administrator or a great theologian: the Church needs a shepherd of hearts, one who understands people’s fears, shares their searching, and weeps with their sorrows.

2. A Leadership of Listening in a Fragmented World

Another strong theme was universal fraternity. Cardinal Re recalled Francis’ efforts to build bridges — in ecumenical dialogue, interreligious outreach, and sociopolitical arenas. In an age of sharp polarization, the next pope must be able to reweave the torn fabric of not only the Church— visibly fragmented ideologically— but also of a humanity wounded by conflicts, inequalities, and exclusion.

A Pope of listening, capable of reaching out even to those who disagree, will be essential. Moral authority will not be imposed by decree; it must be earned through humility, patience, and open-heartedness.

3. The Courage to Embrace an “Epochal Change”

Perhaps one of the most significant elements of the homily was the recognition that Francis not only sailed through turbulent times but also named and embraced the “epochal change” we are living through. The next pontificate cannot nostalgically return to the past or retreat into rigid certainties: it must wisely discern the signs of the times.

We need a courageous pope, capable of integrating new realities without losing the Christian identity. One who can engage contemporary culture— with its lights and shadows— without diluting the Gospel’s truth, yet also without imposing it through authoritarianism: proposing it instead as a horizon of meaning and hope.

4. A Church for All: Welcoming as a Vocation

Cardinal Re underlined something that was central to Francis’ vision: the image of the Church with open doors. This ideal demands something concrete from the future: the next pope must be a pontiff of inclusion.

This is not about diluting the faith, but about remembering that the Gospel is for everyone. In a world where many feel marginalized— because of their social condition, family situation, origin, or personal wounds— the Church needs a leader who embraces diversity as a richness, who fears no existential peripheries, and who dares to “go out” even at the risk of making mistakes, knowing it is better to err by reaching out than to stagnate in sterile self-protection.

5. A Magisterium that Touches the Heart

The homily highlighted Francis’ communicative closeness: his vivid, tender language touched even those far from the Church.

In times flooded with information, the next pope must be a master of the heart, not only of reason. A pontiff who can speak simply yet profoundly, who awakens a thirst for meaning, and who moves hearts more than merely transmitting norms. A pope who, like Francis, inspires hope and reawakens dormant spiritual energies, rather than just repeating formulas.

Conclusion: The Challenge of Being Continuity and Newness

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re’s homily did not explicitly outline a “profile” for the next pope. But by lovingly and meticulously recounting Francis’ legacy, he sketched the contours of the shepherd that many now long for:

• Merciful and close to the people.
• Courageous in discerning the signs of the times.
• A builder of bridges in a wounded world.
• A pastor who embraces all without exceptions.
• An evangelizer with his heart in his hand.

The next pope will not be a clone of Francis. But he will need to continue the deep melody that the Spirit has brought forth in these years: a Church that is maternal, missionary, Samaritan, unafraid to be wounded in order to anoint the world with the fragrance of Divine Mercy.

May the conclave that will soon convene not seek merely a manager or a consensus-builder, but rather a man of God who, like Peter in today’s Gospel reading, can say with all his soul: “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” (John 21:15-19) From there, everything can be new once again.

Read the full homily of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re during the funeral of Pope Francis by clicking on the image below:

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re during the funeral of Pope Francis. Click on the image to download his homily.