Kiwi family among last to pay respects to late Pope Francis

A trip to Rome to take part in Catholic commemorations over Easter for the Leung-Wai family has become a mission to pay tribute to their church leader Pope Francis.

“It is very important for all of us and I will definitely keep this as something for the rest of my life,” Fatima Leung-Wai told 1News.

Leung-Wai and her siblings woke early to join the masses and pay their respects to the pontiff lying in state.

“It was really emotional and moving and sad at the same time but also really important and beautiful. Just to see him there…”

Since then, the family has been preparing for the Pope’s funeral, packing water bottles, food and warm clothes for their parents, who have also made the trip. Around 300,000 people are expected to be in Rome for the event.

“It wasn’t planned for this. No, we came for the canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis, and Easter and Holy Week as well as gifting our parents the opportunity to come to Rome and Italy,” Leung-Wai said.

“My parents are from Samoa, they worked hard, they’re faithful Catholics, part of the Legion of Mary and we wanted to take them, go as a family before we move on with our own lives.”

Her sister Ann-Margaret is still processing the moment in history they’ve found themselves to be a part of.

“I’m just in shock, I’m still processing that I’m here in Rome… but then hearing the death of Pope Francis is just even another thing I wasn’t expected but I’m grateful to be here,” she said.

The sisters have met Pope Francis before, nine years ago at the Catholic World Youth Day in Poland. Fatima had lunch with the Pope.

“He has created a massive impact, reaching the marginalised, the poor, the people in prison , those in hospital so I was very much happy to meet him.”

Ann-Margaret was meant to be part of a walk with the Pope, but he extended his time with the group of young people.

“We were only meant to walk with Pope Francis but he ended up changing the plan, shaking our hands, telling us to go on the popemobile, go for a ride.”

“He was just loving and he felt like my grandma... so much love."

On attending the funeral, Ann-Margaret says it’s another opportunity to represent the Catholic faithful in New Zealand.

“I do feel like (we’re) representing Oceania and those that can’t make it that aren’t here. People always ask where we’re from and we say New Zealand or Samoa.”

A small group of Catholic New Zealanders will be at the Pope’s funeral, including some that live here in Rome in church roles.

Cardinal John Dew will be in attendance before representing New Zealand in the conclave process to elect the next Pope.

“It’s daunting to think we have the responsibility of electing someone to be the supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church but at the same time, it’s a real privilege,” he said.

Dew said while he’s focused on the funeral, he’s also preparing for the election process – the first he’s taken part in.

“I have some people in mind who I think would be good. I mean, some I know better than others and some I’ve heard things that they’ve said but at the same time, I have an open mind to be listening.”

He said New Zealanders are praying for him as he prepares for the task and he’s received hundreds of supportive texts since news of the Pope’s death.

“I do feel that I have incredible support from people.”

Dew said seeing the reaction of people to the Pope’s death in Rome has moved him.

“I just couldn’t believe the number of people, thousands of people who were lining up to go into the basilica to see the Pope’s body and I thought this is just saying something incredible about him and the way people held him in such esteem.”

Dew said he’s been reflecting on the impact of the Pope’s service, comparing his act of duty to that of Queen Elizabeth’s.

“It’s something which obviously it took every moment of Pope Francis’ life and he gave his every ounce of energy.”