On Wednesday, members of the Polish Parliament honored the late Pope Francis with a minute of silence. Speaker of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, noted that “for millions of people around the world, including many Poles, Francis was a spiritual guide and a moral authority.” Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday. The 33rd session of the Sejm began with a tribute to the late pontiff.
“For millions of people around the world, including many Polish men and women, he was a spiritual leader and a moral compass,” the Speaker emphasized. He added that Pope Francis consistently spoke out for the poor, the marginalized, the victims of armed conflicts, and refugees, and reminded the world of the need for harmony and justice among people, as well as care for nature and the planet.
At the end of the session, members of Parliament recited the Hail Mary in memory of the late pope.
Pope Francis was 88 years old and had been recovering from severe pneumonia. His funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26. Heads of state from around the world are expected to attend the ceremony.