VATICAN CITY — The grand funeral of Pope Francis commenced Saturday, drawing a multitude of mourners to bid farewell to a pontiff celebrated for his advocacy for the marginalized and his transformative vision for the Catholic Church. As the service began, attendees gathered in silent reverence, soon erupting in applause as the pope’s coffin was solemnly carried out of St. Peter’s Basilica shortly after 10 a.m.
The funeral Mass took place on the iconic steps of St. Peter’s, attended by over 50 world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, alongside Argentine President Javier Milei and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky was also among the dignitaries present for the significant occasion.
According to Vatican officials, the funeral drew approximately 200,000 participants in St. Peter’s Square, with an additional million expected to gather along the 6-kilometer procession route through Rome to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, where Francis will be interred. Many of the Catholic faithful, numbering around 1.4 billion globally, tuned in via television to witness the historical farewell for the first Latin American pope.
Pope Francis passed away at age 88 after suffering a stroke on Easter Monday, just a day after delivering a blessing to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square. Following his death, an outpouring of grief saw around 250,000 people pay their final respects while his body lay in state.
As sunlight illuminated St. Peter’s Square, the Mass opened with a Latin chant invoking eternal rest for the deceased. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, delivered the homily, highlighting Francis’s character as a “pope among the people” and commending his tireless advocacy for the poor and displaced. He noted that Francis stood up for peace amid global conflicts, urging compassionate dialogue and resolution.
The ceremony included a “Prayer of the Faithful,” with prayers offered in multiple languages such as French, Arabic, and Mandarin—an homage to the pope’s commitment to inclusivity and outreach. In accordance with Francis’s wishes, the Mass adhered to a more simplistic format, reflecting his calling to serve as a humble shepherd rather than a powerful figure.
True to his values, individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds were invited to the ceremony. They were positioned near the steps of Santa Maria Maggiore to pay their respects before his coffin was transported through Rome’s historic streets, passing landmarks such as the Colosseum.
In a notable departure from tradition, Pope Francis will be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore, the first pope in over 300 years to be laid to rest away from public viewing. His papacy broke several barriers, marking him as the first Jesuit and the first pontiff from Latin America.
Elected in 2013, Francis pushed for progressive reforms within the Church, including amplifying the roles of women. His tenure, however, was punctuated by challenges, particularly in addressing clerical sexual abuse scandals, where efforts to implement change often met with accusations of insufficient action.
Conversations around contentious issues like same-sex relationships continued to divide the Church during his leadership. Despite his famous assertion of “Who am I to judge?” regarding sexual orientation, he reaffirmed the Church’s traditional stance on homosexuality.
The conclave to select the next pope will convene soon, marking a pivotal moment for the Church’s direction. Some enthusiasts hope a successor will continue Francis’s progressive legacy. Candela Rodríguez, a university student from Seville studying in Rome, expressed her hope that the next pope embodies humility and accessibility.
As mourners reflect on Francis’s impact, many reiterate their pride in his dedication to the marginalized. “He put the needs of the poor first,” noted Federico Burlón from Argentina. “It’s a sad day, yet a celebration of his life. I wish for the next pope to maintain this focus on those in need.”
Sister Luisa from Munich spoke of Francis as a humble leader whose love for humanity was profoundly evident. As the world bids farewell to a pope who sought to bridge divides and uplift the downtrodden, the legacy of Pope Francis will continue to evoke passionate discussions about the future of the Catholic Church.