Vatican City: A mourning Rome and the world gathered on Saturday to bid farewell to Pope Francis in a solemn funeral ceremony, where presidents, royalty, and ordinary mourners united to honor the late pontiff’s enduring legacy. Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, presiding over the Mass, called on the faithful to uphold Francis’ unwavering commitment to migrants, the marginalized, and the environment.
Among the dignitaries, U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously clashed with the pope on several issues, sat alongside a host of world leaders in the vast St. Peter’s Square, facing the simple coffin of the Argentine pope. Across from them sat the cardinals who will soon convene to elect Francis’ successor, determining the future course of the Catholic Church—whether to continue Francis’ progressive path or revert to a more traditional approach.
Pope Francis, who served as pontiff for 12 years and became a global symbol of humility and reform, passed away at the age of 88 on Monday after suffering 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,” said Cardinal Re during the homily. In his message, Re emphasized that there could be no turning back, highlighting Francis’ attentiveness to “the signs of the times and what the Holy Spirit was awakening in the Church.”
Throughout his papacy, Francis tirelessly called for peace across conflict-ridden regions. His funeral even provided a diplomatic opportunity, as President Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy inside St. Peter’s Basilica amidst ongoing efforts to seek an end to the war in Ukraine.
As Francis’ coffin, adorned with a large cross, emerged into the sunlit square carried by 14 pallbearers in white gloves, applause rippled through the enormous crowd. More than 250,000 mourners packed St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding streets, according to Vatican estimates. Loud claps erupted again as ushers raised the casket, offering the crowd one last view of the beloved pontiff.
From above, the scene was a tapestry of solemnity: the black of dignitaries’ formal wear, the red vestments of 250 cardinals, the purple of 400 bishops, and the white of 4,000 priests gathered from around the world.
Following the ceremony, the great bells of St. Peter’s tolled in mourning as Francis’ coffin was placed on an open-topped popemobile. The vehicle wound its way through Rome, carrying the pope toward his final resting place at the Basilica of St. Mary Major—fulfilling his wish to be buried humbly outside Vatican City, the first pope in over a century to do so.
The popemobile departed through the Perugino Gate, near the modest Santa Marta guesthouse where Francis had chosen to reside, rejecting the grandeur of the Apostolic Palace. Along the 5.5-kilometer (3.4-mile) route, police estimated some 150,000 people lined the streets, tossing flowers, waving banners, and chanting, “Viva il papa!” and “Ciao, Francesco!” as the cortege passed iconic landmarks, including the Colosseum.
Trump and Zelenskiy Hold Candid Meeting
The funeral also set the stage for a rare meeting between Trump and Zelenskiy. Unlike their tense encounter at the White House earlier this year, Saturday’s meeting was described as more cordial. In a photo released by Zelenskiy’s office, the two leaders were seen leaning in closely, speaking earnestly in the marble-lined halls of the basilica.
A White House official described the conversation as “very productive,” while Zelenskiy referred to it as a “good meeting.”
World leaders including the presidents of Argentina, France, Gabon, Germany, the Philippines, and Poland, as well as the prime ministers of Britain and New Zealand, and royals from Spain and other nations, also paid their respects.
Over the past three days, around 250,000 people had streamed into St. Peter’s Basilica to view Francis’ open coffin, laid before the high altar, a testament to the affection and reverence he commanded worldwide.
During the funeral, choirs sang Latin hymns and prayers echoed in multiple languages—Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, and Arabic—mirroring the Church’s vast global reach. Many pilgrims, including French mourner Aurelie Andre, camped out overnight to secure spots near the front.
“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 Andre.
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A Simple Farewell to ‘Franciscus’
As the first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years, Francis championed the causes of the poor, migrants, and the environment, often challenging the world’s most powerful nations.
“Francis left everyone a wonderful testimony of humanity, of a holy life and of universal fatherhood,” read a formal Latin summary of his papacy, placed beside his body.
Francis’ tenure saw significant friction with traditionalists who opposed his calls for reform and transparency. Yet his influence reshaped the Church’s role in modern society. True to his spirit of simplicity, Francis streamlined his own funeral rites, opting for a single zinc-lined wooden coffin rather than the traditional three-casket burial.
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His tomb bears only the name “Franciscus”, carved above a simple marble slab, with a reproduction of the humble iron cross he wore throughout his papacy hanging above it.
As the Church now turns toward selecting a successor, attention shifts to the upcoming conclave. The secretive gathering is expected to commence no earlier than May 6, allowing cardinals time to meet and deliberate amid financial challenges and ideological divisions within the Church.
