Pope Francis’ Funeral Mass Draws World Leaders and Mourners to St. Peter’s Square
The funeral Mass for Pope Francis commenced solemnly on Saturday as his simple wooden coffin was carried into St. Peter’s Square, where thousands had gathered to pay their final respects to the beloved pontiff.
World leaders from across the globe, including Indian President Droupadi Murmu, former US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and many others, assembled at the Vatican to honor Francis’ memory and legacy.
The open-air ceremony, anticipated to last around 90 minutes, was co-celebrated by an extraordinary gathering of 220 cardinals, 750 bishops, and more than 4,000 priests.
Pope Francis, who made history as the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 after a long battle with bilateral pneumonia and other health complications that marked much of his later years.
His 12-year papacy was notable for his emphasis on humility, compassion, and outreach to marginalized communities.
In a departure from recent papal funeral traditions, Pope Francis requested a burial at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, rather than the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. Migrants and prisoners, groups he had staunchly advocated for during his tenure, will play an important role in the burial ceremony, aligning with Francis’ lifelong commitment to creating “a poor church for the poor.”
Following his death, the Catholic Church entered the period known as Sede Vacante — Latin for “the seat is vacant.” During this interregnum, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, appointed as camerlengo (chamberlain) by Pope Francis in 2019, temporarily oversees the operations of the Vatican.
Farrell’s duties include officially certifying the Pope’s death, securing his private chambers, managing the funeral proceedings, and coordinating preparations for the conclave — the secretive gathering in the Sistine Chapel where cardinals under the age of 80 will elect the next pope.
The election must conclude with a two-thirds majority vote, typically taking place within 15 to 20 days of the papal vacancy.
As mourners poured into Vatican City, officials estimated that approximately 200,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square to attend the Mass and pay homage to Pope Francis.
The ceremony, carefully designed by Francis himself, was intentionally simple and reflected his dedication to humility, service, and reform within the Church.
Beyond the attendance of prominent world leaders — including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, European royals, and over 160 international delegations — the funeral also featured a significant presence of migrants, prisoners, and those from marginalized communities whom Francis had consistently embraced throughout his papacy.
Following the Mass, Pope Francis’ wooden coffin was placed atop the open-topped popemobile and processed through Rome along a 4-kilometer route leading to the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
This final journey was significant, as the basilica holds deep personal meaning for Francis — it was a place of prayer for him both before and after every apostolic journey.
Over 300,000 people were expected to line the route, offering one last farewell to a pope who redefined the papacy for millions around the world through his messages of love, inclusivity, and hope.
