Presidents, royalty, clergy, and ordinary mourners gathered in a solemn and emotional farewell to Pope Francis on Saturday, marking the end of a transformative era for the Catholic Church. The funeral, held in a sun-drenched St. Peter’s Square, was a powerful tribute to a pontiff who dedicated his life to championing the rights of migrants, the downtrodden, and the environment. Amidst the solemnity, Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered a moving homily, urging the world to preserve and carry forward Francis’ progressive legacy.
US President Donald Trump, who had often found himself at odds with Francis over issues such as immigration and climate change, sat among the rows of dignitaries assembled for the ceremony. On the opposite side of the late pope's casket sat the College of Cardinals, the influential body that will gather in conclave next month to elect Francis' successor — a decision that could determine whether the Church continues on the path of reform or shifts back towards a more traditional conservatism.
Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America and a towering figure of moral authority for millions around the world, reigned for 12 years before passing away at the age of 88 following a stroke. “Rich in human warmth and deeply sensitive to today's challenges, Pope Francis truly shared the anxieties, sufferings, and hopes of this time,” Cardinal Re said, emphasizing that the late pope’s openness to the world and its struggles must not be abandoned.
The funeral Mass was attended by over 250,000 people according to Vatican estimates, with thousands more lining the surrounding streets. Applause erupted as Francis’ simple coffin, adorned with a large cross, was carried out of St. Peter’s Basilica by 14 pallbearers in white gloves, a moment of collective grief and celebration of his life’s work. Aerial images captured a breathtaking mosaic of colors: black attire worn by global leaders, the crimson robes of 250 cardinals, the purple of 400 bishops, and the white cassocks of more than 4,000 priests who participated in the Mass.
The farewell was rich with symbolic gestures. After the funeral, as the bells of St. Peter's tolled mournfully, Francis' coffin was placed on an open-top popemobile and driven slowly through Rome’s ancient streets. Unlike his predecessors, Francis had requested not to be buried beneath St. Peter’s Basilica but rather at the Basilica of St. Mary Major — a site dear to him and symbolic of his humble approach to the papacy. This marked the first time in over a century that a pope was laid to rest outside the Vatican walls. The private burial was a reflection of his lifetime disdain for opulence and grandeur.
The funeral procession traveled a 5.5-kilometer route, with crowds estimated at around 150,000 cheering, waving flowers, and holding up banners that read “Viva il Papa” and “Ciao Francesco.” The path wove through iconic landmarks such as the Roman Colosseum, offering a vivid reminder of the late pope’s global stature and deep bond with the people.
A notable subplot to the day was the unexpected yet significant meeting between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy inside the Basilica. Their encounter — markedly more cordial than their previous tense meeting in Washington — saw the two leaders leaning in for an intense conversation. According to officials, it was a "very productive discussion," signaling possible diplomatic moves in the ongoing search for a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The funeral also attracted a distinguished array of world leaders and royalty, including presidents from Argentina, France, Germany, the Philippines, Gabon, and Poland, as well as prime ministers from Britain and New Zealand. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain were among the many royal figures who traveled to Rome to pay their respects.
Over the past three days before the funeral, approximately 250,000 faithful had filed past Francis’ open coffin, reflecting the immense global reach and emotional connection the late pontiff inspired. The funeral Mass featured Latin hymns and prayers in multiple languages — Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, and Arabic — capturing the vast diversity of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church.
Pilgrims who arrived early or camped overnight described feeling a deep mixture of sorrow and gratitude. “When I arrived at the square, tears of sadness and also joy came over me. I think I truly realised that Pope Francis had left us, and at the same time, there is joy for all he has done for the Church,” said Aurelie Andre, a French pilgrim.
Francis, the first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years, sought to modernize and humanize the Church’s image, focusing relentlessly on compassion, mercy, and social justice. A formal summary of his papacy, written in Latin and placed beside his body, described him as offering “a wonderful testimony of humanity, of a holy life, and of universal fatherhood.”
In keeping with his spirit of simplicity, Francis opted to break with tradition even in death. Instead of the traditional triple-casket burial, he chose a single, zinc-lined wooden coffin. His tomb bears a single inscription: "Franciscus," and is adorned simply with a reproduction of the iron cross he wore throughout his papacy.
Attention now turns to the secretive process of choosing the next pope. The conclave, expected to start after May 6, will be preceded by several days of private meetings where cardinals will take stock of the Church’s current challenges, including financial issues, ideological divisions, and the question of whether Francis’ reformist vision should endure or be replaced by a more conservative approach.
