Pope Francis has been laid to rest after a solemn and historic funeral attended by hundreds of thousands of mourners and many world leaders. The first South American pope, who died Monday at age 88, was remembered for his tireless advocacy for peace, migrants, and the marginalized during his 12-year pontificate.
The day began under a hazy Roman sky as pilgrims, clergy, and dignitaries flooded into the streets around St Peter’s Basilica. Security was tight, with over 8,000 police, medics, firefighters, and volunteers deployed across the city.
By 8:00 a.m. local time, the square was packed with worshippers from around the globe. Among them were Jessica, 22, from Mexico, and Cyril, 20, from the U.S., who arrived at dawn to secure a front-row view.
“We sacrificed a little sleep to be here, but it’s worth it,” said Jessica.
World Leaders Gather
Heads of state, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, were present at the Vatican. A brief private meeting between Trump and Zelensky before the funeral sparked media attention, with Zelensky later suggesting their conversation “had the potential to become historic.”
The service was presided over by 91-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, whose homily highlighted Pope Francis’s commitment to migrants, peace, and bridge-building across cultures.
“War always leaves the world worse than it was before. It is always a painful and tragic defeat for everyone,” Cardinal Re reminded the crowd, echoing one of Francis’s most passionate causes.
A Farewell Filled with Color and Song
The atmosphere in St Peter’s Square was a vivid tapestry of color—from the red vestments of the clergy to the rainbow hats of pilgrims. Hymns sung in Latin floated across the square, occasionally overpowered by the buzz of helicopters and drones overhead.
Applause broke out at key moments, including when Pope Francis’s simple wooden coffin was carried out and when Cardinal Re emphasized the pontiff’s dedication to peace and human dignity.
Following the funeral mass, Francis’s coffin was blessed with holy water, censed with incense, and carried through the streets of Rome in a slow-moving white popemobile.
A Final Journey Through Rome
Approximately 140,000 people lined the route as the hearse passed the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Piazza Venezia. The journey ended at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where Pope Francis was laid to rest beside a revered icon of the Virgin Mary around 3:00 p.m.
The city’s Civil Protection Department reported the day unfolded “without critical issues,” with head Fabio Ciciliano praising the crowd’s solemnity and respect.
“Four hundred thousand people shared a historic and emotional moment, and thanks to everyone’s commitment, the day took place in a serene way,” he said.
Looking Ahead: The Conclave
Attention now turns to the next chapter: selecting a new pope. The conclave, expected to begin around May 5 or 6 after the traditional nine days of mourning (Novemdiales), will see 135 cardinals gather—the largest conclave in modern history.
Speculation about the next pontiff is rife. When asked whether the next pope could come from Asia, Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi of Tonga simply smiled and pointed to the sky.
“Only He knows,” he said.
