Although Pope Francis simplified the papal funeral rites in a move of typical modesty, Saturday’s ceremony will still be full of pomp and pageantry, as the world’s Catholics bid him farewell and cardinals in the Vatican ready themselves for the millennia-old process of picking a new pontiff.

Personal stories emerging this week in the wake of the many tributes to Pope Francis reflect the impact of individual prayers and blessings the pontiff shared around the world, whether he was talking with starry eyed newlyweds or beleaguered world leaders.