The doors of Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis’s residence, have opened to a select few: close collaborators, Vatican employees, and relatives. This intimate access, beginning Monday night, included journalists, described as travel companions who echoed their gestures and their words to reach everyone. However,even with papal approval,the only problem will also convince the Vatican gendarmes.

Gaining Entry: A Delicate Process

The entrance, known as the ‘Porta del Peruggino,’ was a focal point, with television cameras capturing every arrival and departure. A cardinal’s car, carrying three passengers, passed through, embodying the Vatican of Bergoglio without chóferes or special cars.

Gaining access required navigating layers of security. After identifying oneself and explaining the purpose of the visit, the correspondent approached the first security checkpoint. A high-ranking Vatican official vouched for the correspondent,providing the necessary guarantees to the authorities.

an Critically important Visitor Arrives

A short distance from the entrance, casa santa marta stood ready. While a bishop was immediately granted entry, the journalist waited with a small group of religious figures, priests, and Vatican employees.The reason for the delay: the impending arrival of the President of the Italian Republic, sergio Matarella. Protocol dictated that, during the vacant headquarters period, only the camarlengo and the Dean Cardinal were permitted, but both were occupied with other pressing matters.

Notably, no cardinal receives him.

Inside Santa Marta: Silence and Subtlety

Once inside, the Santa Marta hall was transformed into a corridor leading to the burning chapel. Despite the somber occasion, there are no signs of grieving. Just silence. Familiar elements remained untouched: The statue of the hero Juan Zorrilla San Martín continues next to the elevator, on the other side of San José with El Niño, and also the paintings with the face of John Paul II and the logo of the jubilee of mercy. Not a photo of Francisco is seen. Swiss guards exchanged greetings, maintaining their composure, offering condolences on behalf of the Vatican family.

Meeting the Secretaries

At the chapel door, the Pope’s three secretaries stood ready. We finally meet in person, one remarked upon the correspondent’s arrival. The secretaries, Argentines Daniel Pellizzon and Juan Cruz Villalón, and Italian Fabio Salerno, had diligently served Pope francis, embodying his directive that a good secretary works without a trace. They received condolences with smiles and teary eyes.

Massimo Strappetti, the Pope’s nurse, also received visitors. Pope Francis’s final words to him were, Thank you for taking me out to the square.

The Chapel of the Holy Spirit

The chapel, dedicated to the Holy Spirit, is intended to guide the cardinals who will soon reside there while looking for a new pontiff. Rows of benches and chairs lined the chapel, leading to the altar where Pope Francis’s body lay. He was dressed in the red mass vestments, the papal mourning attire, and wore a miter as bishop. A brown rosary, often used during public ceremonies, was in his hands.

His face, his bunned face is seen, his face consumed, with his face extremely thin. Reflected the remains of someone who has squeezed until the last moment his energies to deal with the mission he was called. A faint smile seemed to grace his lips. Flowers, including his favorite white roses, linked to his devotion to Saint Teresita of lisieux, adorned the space.

A Family Wake

The atmosphere was one of silence and tears, but without impossible dramas. It is a family wake. A Swiss Guard ensured no unauthorized photos were taken.People paused to pay their respects, some sitting in quiet contemplation. Families of employees, nuns, and ordinary workers passed through, their steps hushed. A young woman faints and forms around her a stir. Nurse Massimiliano Strappetti quickly attended to her, earning silent praise: The Pope would have been proud of him.

I approach the remains and try to think something solemn, remember the moments past with him, the interviews, the encounters, the trips. I laugh remembering the sympathy of that time we spent together.

Reflecting on past encounters, the correspondent recalled Pope Francis’s warmth and humor. remembering a greeting, good morning, Holy Father, and the Pope’s reply, Good morning, holy son. The titles of books came to mind: The Pope of Joy and The pope of tenderness.

A Lasting Legacy

April 21, 2025, will be recorded in the Vatican marble as the end of Pope Francis’s pontificate. Though, the impact of its history will last much further in the life of those who knew him and that he will mark the future of the Catholic church for several decades. A final look at his weary body, his excavated face and his spent hands evoked a simple, heartfelt sentiment: Gracias.