An extraordinary outpouring of grief and remembrance unfolded today in Rome, as hundreds of thousands of mourners, world leaders, and members of the public came together for the funeral of Pope Francis. The beloved pontiff, who reshaped the image of the Catholic Church through humility, compassion, and his call for social justice, was laid to rest in a ceremony that reflected the simplicity he championed throughout his life.
The Vatican said that around 400,000 people filled St Peter’s Square and the surrounding streets, with about 50,000 crowding into the square itself to witness the Requiem Mass presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Among them were heads of state, royalty, religious leaders, and pilgrims from every corner of the globe — all united in a collective farewell to the “pope among the people.”
In keeping with Pope Francis’s break from many long-held papal traditions, the funeral service was modest by historical standards. His plain wooden coffin, in stark contrast to the elaborate sarcophagi of some of his predecessors, was a moving testament to the life of simplicity and service he espoused. The marble tomb where he was later interred bears only one inscription: "Franciscus," his papal name in Latin.
The funeral Mass was marked by both deep sorrow and quiet celebration of Francis’s extraordinary life. Speaking to the crowd, Cardinal Re reflected the late pontiff’s lifelong mission to bridge divides, calling on the world to "build bridges, not walls" — a message that resonated deeply in a world still struggling with divisions of politics, race, and religion.
Security was tight, with Rome under a no-fly zone and thousands of police and soldiers deployed to manage the crowds and ensure the safety of the dignitaries present, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and leaders from across Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
As the Mass ended, Francis’s coffin was borne out of St Peter’s Basilica by fourteen white-gloved pallbearers, passing through a silent, tearful crowd. The journey to Santa Maria Maggiore — his favourite church in Rome — was lined by mourners, many of whom held rosaries, photographs, or handmade signs thanking the pope for his life of service.
Guatemalan pilgrim Maria Vicente, 52, wept openly as she watched the coffin disappear into the church. "It made me very sad. It’s touching that he left us like that," she said, clutching a small rosary tightly in her hands.
Children placed baskets of flowers at the altar inside the church as the choir sang solemn hymns. It was a fitting farewell for a man who repeatedly placed children, the vulnerable, and the marginalized at the heart of his papacy.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis became the first pontiff from Latin America, the first Jesuit pope, and the first to choose the name Francis — inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, a symbol of peace, poverty, and humility.
His decade-long papacy was marked by efforts to reform the Church bureaucracy, address sexual abuse scandals, champion migrants and refugees, and advocate for action on climate change. Though not without controversy — especially among traditionalists — Francis’s legacy as a voice for the voiceless and an agent of mercy is undeniable.
Throughout the day, tributes poured in from across the world. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Pope Francis "embodied the spirit of hope and unity," while UN Secretary-General António Guterres hailed him as "a moral compass in turbulent times."
As dusk fell over Rome, the atmosphere remained reverent. Many pilgrims stayed behind in silent prayer, reflecting not just on the passing of a pope, but on the end of a remarkable era of spiritual leadership.
At the close of the day, Cardinal Re’s words seemed to hang in the air, as much a call to action as a eulogy: "Francis showed us the courage of humility, the strength of compassion, and the necessity of building bridges. Let us honour him not only with our mourning, but with our deeds."
In the end, Pope Francis was exactly where he wanted to be — among the people, in their prayers, and in their hearts.
The Vatican said that around 400,000 people filled St Peter’s Square and the surrounding streets, with about 50,000 crowding into the square itself to witness the Requiem Mass presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Among them were heads of state, royalty, religious leaders, and pilgrims from every corner of the globe — all united in a collective farewell to the “pope among the people.”
In keeping with Pope Francis’s break from many long-held papal traditions, the funeral service was modest by historical standards. His plain wooden coffin, in stark contrast to the elaborate sarcophagi of some of his predecessors, was a moving testament to the life of simplicity and service he espoused. The marble tomb where he was later interred bears only one inscription: "Franciscus," his papal name in Latin.
The funeral Mass was marked by both deep sorrow and quiet celebration of Francis’s extraordinary life. Speaking to the crowd, Cardinal Re reflected the late pontiff’s lifelong mission to bridge divides, calling on the world to "build bridges, not walls" — a message that resonated deeply in a world still struggling with divisions of politics, race, and religion.
Security was tight, with Rome under a no-fly zone and thousands of police and soldiers deployed to manage the crowds and ensure the safety of the dignitaries present, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and leaders from across Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
As the Mass ended, Francis’s coffin was borne out of St Peter’s Basilica by fourteen white-gloved pallbearers, passing through a silent, tearful crowd. The journey to Santa Maria Maggiore — his favourite church in Rome — was lined by mourners, many of whom held rosaries, photographs, or handmade signs thanking the pope for his life of service.
Guatemalan pilgrim Maria Vicente, 52, wept openly as she watched the coffin disappear into the church. "It made me very sad. It’s touching that he left us like that," she said, clutching a small rosary tightly in her hands.
Children placed baskets of flowers at the altar inside the church as the choir sang solemn hymns. It was a fitting farewell for a man who repeatedly placed children, the vulnerable, and the marginalized at the heart of his papacy.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis became the first pontiff from Latin America, the first Jesuit pope, and the first to choose the name Francis — inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, a symbol of peace, poverty, and humility.
His decade-long papacy was marked by efforts to reform the Church bureaucracy, address sexual abuse scandals, champion migrants and refugees, and advocate for action on climate change. Though not without controversy — especially among traditionalists — Francis’s legacy as a voice for the voiceless and an agent of mercy is undeniable.
Throughout the day, tributes poured in from across the world. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Pope Francis "embodied the spirit of hope and unity," while UN Secretary-General António Guterres hailed him as "a moral compass in turbulent times."
As dusk fell over Rome, the atmosphere remained reverent. Many pilgrims stayed behind in silent prayer, reflecting not just on the passing of a pope, but on the end of a remarkable era of spiritual leadership.
At the close of the day, Cardinal Re’s words seemed to hang in the air, as much a call to action as a eulogy: "Francis showed us the courage of humility, the strength of compassion, and the necessity of building bridges. Let us honour him not only with our mourning, but with our deeds."
In the end, Pope Francis was exactly where he wanted to be — among the people, in their prayers, and in their hearts.
