Tyrone journalist in front row of Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome

‘WONDERFULLY surreal’ was how a Strabane native described being at the front of the congregation at Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday.

Barry Whyte, who is the chief reporter of Bauer Media Audio Ireland, said that even though he has covered many a story over the last five years – the magnitude, beauty and poignancy of this event simply took his breath away.

Looking around while in the heart of St Peter’s Square, Rome, Barry could spy the firsthand the world’s most celebrated archbishops, the cardinals, Prince William… Zelensky… and even Donald Trump!

And as the choirs sang their hymns and prayers in perfect Latin, Barry recounted being moved by the voices and bells which echoed across Rome.

“It was a powerful experience,” the 40-year-old, who now lives in Dublin, said. “I was sitting near the front of the congregation in a space near the archbishops, which is where the media teams were located so the views were brilliant.

“I was brought up a Catholic, so I could appreciate the poignancy of the proceedings and the music was really powerful.

“It was my job to report on the service and the news live elements every hour,” he added.

“When we got word that Trump and Zelensky had a conversation before the funeral, I was looking around to see if they were sitting near each other during the service too – they were actually quite far apart.

“What was really evident about Pope Francis, and what was highlighted many times throughout the service was that he was a man of peace who wanted to build bridges.”

On Friday – the day before the funeral – Barry ventured down to St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican to pay his respects as the Pope lay in state.

“When I was there, and up close to the coffin, it felt very emotional and intimate,” he reflected. “But then I’d look behind me and I’d see the sheer scale of the crowds behind me. Thousands of people, just like me, had travelled to Rome to pay their own respects.”

Indeed, part of Barry’s role in covering the funeral was also to mingle with these crowds to really get a feel for the atmosphere before, during and after the funeral.

“On Saturday, the morning of the service, the streets surrounding St Peter’s Square were just packed from very early on,” he recounted. “There were flags everywhere, people of all nationalities, big screens set-up so that people could see the service. The sun and was shining and there was a real celebratory atmosphere.

“But when the service started… there was silence. You could hear a pin drop.

“If you had told me ten years ago that I’d be covering an event such as this, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Barry concluded. “But it was an experience – something I will always remember.”