On April 26, a monumental gathering took place in St. Peter's Square as royalty, presidents, prime ministers, and countless faithful congregated to pay their last respects to Pope Francis. The funeral Mass, held in honor of his sometimes turbulent papacy, drew attendees from over 150 countries, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who had notably clashed with Francis on issues such as immigration.
As dawn broke, thousands of ordinary mourners rushed toward the Vatican, with many camping out overnight to secure spots close to the ceremony. Spanish pilgrim Maria Fierro expressed her emotions, stating, "We have been waiting all night. Accompanying him in his last moments is very emotional." Similarly, Mary James, a Franciscan nun, revealed her dedication, saying, "I was up the whole night, wanting to say goodbye because he was a living saint, very humble and simple."
Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88 due to a stroke. His death initiated a meticulously planned transition period for the 1.4-billion member Roman Catholic Church, characterized by ancient rituals, pomp, and a profound sense of mourning. Over the previous three days, approximately 250,000 individuals filed past his body, which lay in an open coffin before the altar of the grand St. Peter's Basilica.
The outdoor funeral Mass commenced at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT), with a significant presence of foreign dignitaries. Alongside President Trump, leaders from nations such as Argentina, France, Gabon, Germany, Italy, The Philippines, Poland, and Ukraine were in attendance, along with the prime ministers of Britain and New Zealand. Former U.S. President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden were among the first VIPs to arrive to honor the late pope.
The Vatican anticipated that around 250,000 mourners would fill the expansive cobbled esplanade leading to the basilica. The Mass was presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, a 91-year-old Italian prelate. Eduardo Valencia, a visitor from Mexico, shared, "You can feel a lot of energy, yes, a little bit of despair because we are tired, but ultimately we want to come and say 'thank you' to Pope Francis for all he did for his church."
As the first non-European pope in nearly 13 centuries, Francis worked diligently to reform the Roman Catholic Church throughout his 12-year reign. He advocated for the poor and marginalized, urging wealthy nations to assist migrants and combat climate change. A formal summary of his papacy, inscribed in Latin and placed next to his body, highlighted his legacy: "Francis left everyone a wonderful testimony of humanity, of a holy life and of universal fatherhood."
Pope Francis's funeral reflected his desire for simplicity, breaking from traditional papal practices. Unlike the elaborate, lengthy funeral rites of his predecessors, such as Pope John Paul II's funeral, which lasted nearly three hours, Francis's ceremony was designed to take approximately 90 minutes. He also chose to forgo the centuries-old practice of being buried in three interlocking caskets, instead opting for a single zinc-lined wooden coffin, sealed overnight.
In a significant departure from tradition, Pope Francis will be the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican. He selected Basilica of St. Mary Major, located approximately 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) from St. Peter's, as his final resting place. His tomb features "Franciscus," his name in Latin, inscribed on the top, accompanied by a reproduction of the simple iron-plated cross he once wore around his neck.
As Italy prepared for the funeral, one of the largest security operations since Pope John Paul II's funeral was implemented. The airspace over the city was closed, and additional security forces were deployed, with anti-aircraft missiles and patrol boats ensuring safety during the event. Following Pope Francis's burial, the focus will shift to the selection of his successor. The secretive conclave to elect the next pope is not expected to begin until May 6, allowing time for cardinals to gather and assess the current challenges facing the Church, including financial issues and ideological divisions.
