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Some devoted mourners began gathering as early as the previous night, enduring long hours just to secure a spot for the historic funeral ceremony. By the time proceedings officially started at 10:00 a.m. local time (0900 GMT), authorities estimated that approximately 150,000 people had packed into St. Peter’s Square and the adjoining streets.
A wave of cheers and applause swept through the crowd as the pope’s simple coffin, made according to his wishes, was carried solemnly from St. Peter’s Basilica into the vast, sunlit square.
Before the public ceremony began, over 50 heads of state had quietly filed into the Basilica to offer their private respects to the beloved Argentine pontiff, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88.
Notable attendees included Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Britain's Prince William, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to Ukrainian sources, Zelensky even had a side meeting with Donald Trump, underscoring the significance of the global gathering that accompanied the pope’s farewell.
Pope Francis, who served as the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church for 12 transformative years, was widely regarded for his efforts to guide the ancient institution toward greater openness and inclusivity. His death triggered heartfelt tributes and mourning across the world, cutting across religious and national lines.
"He wasn't merely a religious leader; he embodied humanity itself," said Andrea Ugalde, a 39-year-old Catholic who flew in all the way from Los Angeles to pay her final respects to the pope she dearly admired.
Given the magnitude of the event, Italian and Vatican security forces orchestrated an enormous protective operation. Snipers were positioned on surrounding rooftops, fighter jets stood ready, and security personnel blanketed the area.
Despite the heavy security presence and the size of the crowd, the atmosphere remained largely reverent and subdued as people watched the solemn proceedings unfold on several large screens scattered around the square.
Among the many who endured the overnight wait was Gabriela Lazo, a 41-year-old woman from Peru, who explained, "We spent the whole night in the car with our children just to be here. We feel such sorrow because having a pope from South America made us feel so deeply connected."
The funeral marked the beginning of a formal nine-day mourning period within the Vatican. After this period of remembrance concludes, the College of Cardinals will convene a conclave to elect the new pope, tasked with leading the world’s estimated 1.4 billion Catholics into a new chapter.
A Global Diplomatic Event
While Pope Francis inspired love and admiration across much of the globe, his papacy also stirred controversy. His outspoken criticisms of issues like the mistreatment of migrants and the environmental destruction caused by human negligence sometimes drew the ire of political leaders and conservative factions within the Church.
Nevertheless, his magnetic personal warmth and commitment to the marginalized earned him respect that transcended political divisions.
Despite their rocky past—particularly over Trump’s immigration policies, which had drawn sharp criticism from Francis—the former U.S. president made the journey to Rome, accompanied by his wife Melania. Trump praised Francis as "a good man" who "loved the world."
Trump's presence at the funeral also had broader implications. It was his first official trip abroad since starting his second term, and he found himself surrounded by world leaders eager to discuss pressing matters like the ongoing trade wars he had initiated.
Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, was also present, standing alongside an array of international dignitaries such as UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Lebanon’s Army Chief Joseph Aoun.
However, not all countries were equally represented. Israel, unhappy with Francis's outspoken criticism of its military operations in Gaza, limited its delegation to the ambassador to the Holy See. Meanwhile, China—still lacking formal diplomatic ties with the Vatican—opted not to send any representative at all.
The Humble Ending of a Humble Pontiff
Pope Francis’s final days were marked by declining health, ultimately succumbing to a stroke and heart failure less than a month after he had been discharged from the hospital, where he had spent weeks battling pneumonia.
Throughout his papacy, Francis placed a special emphasis on connecting with ordinary people. He was often seen in crowds taking selfies, blessing children, and offering spontaneous embraces. His preference was always for the "peripheries" — the places and people overlooked by traditional centers of Catholic power.
Even in his final public act, just one day before his passing, he remained faithful to this mission. He delivered a heartfelt Easter blessing that once again emphasized care for the vulnerable, the marginalized, and the countless migrants displaced around the world.
From the very beginning of his papacy, Francis had made it clear he wanted to lead a simpler Church. He chose the name "Francis" after Saint Francis of Assisi, who had famously championed the poor and rejected material wealth.
In keeping with this ethos, Francis eschewed the grand papal apartments in favor of a modest guesthouse and consistently dressed in plain, simple robes.
For his burial, Francis specifically requested to be interred not within the Vatican’s grand tombs but instead in Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s most beloved churches, outside the Vatican walls—a first for a pope in more than a century. His coffin would be a simple wooden one, resting in a plain marble tomb.
The funeral was an appropriately grand yet respectful affair, attended by 224 cardinals, 750 bishops and priests, and hundreds of political leaders and dignitaries.
Catholic communities around the world tuned in to live broadcasts of the funeral, with especially large gatherings seen in Buenos Aires, the city where Jorge Mario Bergoglio first rose to prominence before becoming Pope Francis.
"He showed us another way to live our faith," said Lara Amado, 25, reflecting the transformative effect the late pope had on millions around the world.
Following the funeral mass, Francis’s coffin would be transported via Rome’s historic Fori Imperiali, passing by ancient ruins and the iconic Colosseum, on its way to Santa Maria Maggiore. There, as a final tribute to his lifelong mission of humility, a group of "the poor and needy" would be present to greet the arrival of his hearse.
A Revolutionary Legacy
Francis's impact on the Catholic Church was profound. His followers believe he fundamentally altered how the Church is perceived, particularly after decades of damage caused by widespread clerical sexual abuse scandals.
He courageously opened new doors by permitting divorced Catholics to receive communion, allowing the baptism of transgender believers, blessing same-sex couples, and, famously, stating that he would not judge gay individuals seeking God — a stance that stunned and encouraged many.
Yet, despite his progressive leanings, he remained steadfast on traditional Catholic teachings regarding abortion, refusing to compromise the Church’s historic position.
One of his earliest symbolic acts as pope was traveling to Lampedusa, a small Italian island that had become a grim symbol of the Mediterranean migrant crisis.
Later, he made another poignant visit to the Greek island of Lesbos, personally flying 12 refugees back to Rome as a demonstration of solidarity.
Fittingly, among the thousands in attendance at his funeral were several of the very refugees whose lives he had touched.
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