Pope Francis’ funeral drew an extraordinary gathering of world leaders, including at least 11 reigning monarchs, along with tens of thousands of mourners who paid their respects. The ceremony began in beautiful golden light at the Vatican, adhering to the pope’s wishes for a simple service. His wooden coffin was eventually interred outside the Vatican walls at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
The event featured choirs singing Latin hymns and prayers recited in multiple languages like Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, and Arabic, underscoring the global reach of the Roman Catholic Church, which has approximately 1.4 billion adherents, primarily from Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered a heartfelt homily, highlighting Pope Francis’s mission to “build bridges, not walls” and to connect deeply with marginalized communities. Over 400,000 people listened, with 50,000 in St. Peter’s Square.
As mourners lined up to pay their respects, St. Peter’s bells tolled, and many gathered along the streets to see the popemobile carrying his coffin. Pope Francis was known for his humility and commitment to social causes, including advocating for migrants and addressing climate change.
Unique among popes, he chose not to be buried in the Vatican’s grottoes, making him the first pope in over a century to lie outside its confines. His tomb, as requested, is modest, reflecting his humble spirit, marked only with the inscription “Franciscus.”
World leaders also engaged at the funeral; notably, President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, hinting at possible peace discussions. Attendees agreed on Pope Francis’ legacy as a compassionate figure, dedicated to serving all, irrespective of background or status.
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