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Royalty, dignitaries, and devoted followers gathered to honor Pope Francis at a funeral mass held in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Saturday.
As the pontiff’s simple wooden casket, adorned with a prominent cross, was paraded from St. Peter’s Basilica into the sunlit square by pallbearers in elegant black suits, applause erupted from the crowd. The ceremony concluded with another round of applause as the coffin was returned to the basilica, before being conveyed to St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome for a private burial service.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re eulogized the late pope, recognizing him as a “pope among the people” who approached everyone with an open heart.
“He had a remarkable spontaneity and an informal way of engaging with all, even those distanced from the church,” the cardinal noted.
“Rich in human warmth and acutely aware of contemporary challenges, Pope Francis genuinely understood the fears, suffering, and aspirations of our globalized era,” he added.
Among Francis’s 47 apostolic journeys, Cardinal Re highlighted his visit to Iraq in 2021, where the pontiff faced numerous dangers to offer solace to a nation that had endured profound hardship.
The gathering included a vast array of attendees, from world leaders to migrants, reflecting the pope’s commitment to diverse communities. Bells tolled as representatives from over 150 nations arrived to pay their respects.
Notable figures included U.S. President Donald Trump, who had several public disagreements with Francis regarding immigration policies, former President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, and various European Union leaders, alongside members of royalty like Prince William.
In an unexpected meeting, Trump, Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened on the funeral’s sidelines, according to the French presidency. A photograph was shared depicting a moment between Trump and Zelenskyy inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Argentinian President Javier Milei also participated in the service, despite the former pope’s complex relationship with his home country during his 12-year papacy.
Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 due to a stroke, initiated a carefully orchestrated transition period for the Roman Catholic Church, serving 1.4 billion followers with solemn rituals and heartfelt tributes.
‘He was a very charismatic pope’
The open-air ceremony was attended by 220 cardinals, 750 bishops, and over 4,000 priests, lasting approximately 90 minutes—a stark contrast to Pope John Paul II’s three-hour funeral in 2005.
Thousands of ordinary attendees arrived at the Vatican early, many camping out to secure prime positions for the service.
Witnesses shared their emotional reflections on the pontiff while waiting outside St. Peter’s Square.
“He was a very charismatic pope, exceptionally kind and relatable,” remarked Miguel Vaca, a pilgrim from Peru. “Saying goodbye to him is deeply moving.”
Italian pilgrim Pasquale Vezza emphasized the personal connection: “He felt like everyone’s grandfather. He will be sorely missed, but we hope his message of peace continues.”
In the preceding three days, around 250,000 individuals had the opportunity to pay their respects as his body lay in state at the altar of the historic St. Peter’s Basilica.
The presence of various presidents—including those from France, Gabon, Germany, Italy, the Philippines, and Poland—along with prime ministers from the United Kingdom and New Zealand, underscored the importance of the event.
Canadian Liberal Leader Mark Carney announced he would not attend the funeral, delegating Governor General Mary Simon to represent the nation.
The Vatican anticipated an attendance of roughly 250,000 mourners filling the expansive cobblestone esplanade leading to the basilica for the ceremony.
Pope Francis, the first non-European pontiff in nearly 13 centuries, sought to reshape the Catholic Church during his tenure, advocating for the marginalized and urging wealthier nations to assist migrants and combat climate change.
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A message summarizing his papacy, delivered in Latin, stated that “Francis left everyone a splendid testament of humanity, a holy life, and universal fatherhood.”
Despite his efforts to promote transparency within the Church, Francis encountered resistance from traditionalists, and his calls for ceasing conflict and divisions often went unheeded.
A shorter funeral service
Throughout his papacy, Francis opted for simplicity, shunning the elaborate rituals typically associated with the position. His funeral service reflected this preference as he restructured the lengthy rites used in previous ceremonies.
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Francis chose to forego the time-honored custom of interring popes within three layers of caskets made from cypress, lead, and oak. Instead, he was placed within a single, zinc-lined wooden casket, which was sealed overnight.
In another departure from tradition, this marks the first time a pope will be buried outside the Vatican in over a century; he selected St. Mary Major Basilica, located about four kilometers from St. Peter’s, as his final resting place.
His tomb bears the inscription “Franciscus,” rendered in Latin, with a simple iron-plated cross—a symbol of his humility—hanging above the marble slab.
After the open-air ceremony, a motorcade transported the pontiff’s coffin through the streets of Rome, allowing residents along the route to bid farewell.
St. Mary Major, one of four pontifical basilicas in the city, dates back to the fifth century and stands atop one of the seven hills of ancient Rome, boasting the tallest bell tower in the capital.
With heightened security measures in effect—airspace over the city closed and anti-aircraft missiles on standby—this event marked one of the largest security operations in Italy since the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
Once Pope Francis is laid to rest, the focus will turn to the process of selecting his successor.
The conclave responsible for this crucial decision is anticipated to commence no sooner than May 6, providing cardinals with time to hold informal discussions about the current state of the Catholic Church, which faces financial challenges and ideological divisions.
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The traditional principles of order, isolation, and secrecy will govern the centuries-old method of selecting the next pope. Insights will reveal potential frontrunners and considerations that cardinals will weigh as they seek a new leader for the Roman Catholic Church.
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