A Troubling Spectacle

On April 26, 2025, I tuned into Pope Francis’ funeral, to check it out and see who was there. Instead, I felt a sickening unease. With 250,000 mourners in St. Peter’s Square, world leaders in attendance, and priests chanting in Latin, the event exalted a man called “Holy Father” above Christ. As a born-again Christian, rooted in love for Scripture, I discerned this event was far from the gospel. The Holy Spirit stirred my heart (1 John 4:1), warning me of a false religious system. This article explores why, urging believers to seek truth and pray for the lost.

The Funeral’s Red Flags

The funeral was a global event, viewed all around the world. Incense swirled, the Sistine Chapel Choir sang, and a procession carried the Pope’s coffin to a basilica tied to a Madonna icon. These rituals clashed with Scripture’s call for simple worship (John 4:23). Jesus warned, “Call no man father” (Matthew 23:9), yet the Pope claimed divine authority. Catholic teachings, like Mary as co-Mediatrix, add to the gospel, contradicting the truth that Jesus is the only Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). The 250,000 attendees, many trusting in sacraments for salvation, seemed spiritually lost, trapped in a system that obscures Christ’s finished work (John 19:30).

The False Church in Prophecy

Calvary Chapel teaches that the End Times will bring a False Church, a deceptive system mixing truth with error. In Revelation 17, Scripture describes “Babylon the Great,” a wealthy, ritualistic religion that deceives nations. Its traits, global influence, ornate ceremonies, and human mediators, echo Catholicism’s practices, like the funeral’s pomp and papal veneration. While not the sole False Church, the Catholic system’s errors, such as exalting a man or adding works to salvation, fit this prophetic warning. The Antichrist’s system may one day unite such religions, leading many astray (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). Believers must stay vigilant, testing all things against God’s Word.

Salvation by Faith Alone

The gospel is clear: “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Salvation is by faith alone, not works or rituals (Ephesians 2:8-9). Catholic sacraments, like Baptism or the Eucharist, claim to dispense grace. Still, Scripture says Christ’s sacrifice is enough (Hebrews 10:10). I saw many at the funeral, relying on these rituals, mostly unsaved, needing the true gospel. Mary, though blessed, was a humble servant who needed a Saviour (Luke 1:47), not a co-Mediatrix. Jesus alone saves (Acts 4:12).

A Call to Discernment

Scripture urges us to “test the spirits, whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1). The funeral’s grandeur and false doctrines were a wake-up call. We must measure all teachings against the Bible, rejecting what adds to Christ’s work. Calvary Chapel’s heart is to share the gospel with love, even with Catholics misled by their system.

Let’s pray for the 250,000 mourners to find true salvation, trusting God to open their eyes (2 Corinthians 4:6). As born-again believers, we’re called to shine Christ’s light in these Last Days.

Conclusion

Pope Francis’ funeral revealed the dangers of religious systems that stray from Scripture. At bornagainchristians.org, we stand on the gospel: salvation is through faith in Christ alone.

Let’s discern truth, pray for the lost, and share Jesus’ love boldly (Ephesians 4:15). Join us in proclaiming the only name that saves (Acts 4:12).