Who is Kielce Gussie, the American journalist who took the first reading at the funeral of Pope Francis

Thousands of people from all over the world pushed their respect for the late Pope Francis as it was developed for rest Saturday in Italy.

Among them was the American journalist Kiels Jose, who played a role during the funeral mass in Saint Peter Square, where she did the first reading.

She told CBS News before the funeral. “Also, for me, it’s a big way to say thanks to Pope Francis.”

The 28 -year -old is an American journalist in the Vatican News and has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mount Saint -Marie in Maryland and a scientific degree in church communications from the papal university in Rome.

Catholic was born, Jossi has lived in Rome since 2019, where she worked as an EWTN and Rome reports before she became the Vatican News Correspondent in October 2024. She is also a contributor to the Vatican newspaper L’ossservatore Romano.

Pope Francis met twice before his death: the first time, he blessed her pink, and the second time, on her birthday.

“In those moments, I did not see him as president of the Catholic Church, I saw him as a grandfather,” she said. “And for me, I will remember him as a person who really cares about everyone who meets him.”

Francis is separated from the recent traditions and will be buried in St. Mary Megor Basilica (Santa Maria Maglor), where a simple grave is awaited under the ground in his name only: Franciskos.

He contributed to this report.