Royalty, presidents, prime ministers, and a multitude of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday to pay their final respects to Pope Francis during a funeral Mass honoring his often tumultuous papacy. Attendees from over 150 countries included U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously clashed with Francis over their differing views on immigration.
At dawn, thousands of everyday mourners made their way to the Vatican, with many having camped out overnight to secure a good spot.
“We’ve been waiting all night,” said Spanish pilgrim Maria Fierro. “Being here for his final moments is very emotional.” Franciscan nun Mary James also kept vigil through the night. “I stayed up all night. We want to say goodbye to a living saint, someone so humble and simple,” she shared.
The 88-year-old Argentine pope passed away on Monday after suffering a stroke. His death set in motion a carefully orchestrated transition for the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church, marked by ancient traditions, ceremony, and mourning.
Over the past three days, roughly 250,000 mourners filed past his body, displayed in an open casket before the altar of the grand St. Peter’s Basilica. On Saturday, his coffin was to be carried through the basilica’s main doors for the outdoor funeral beginning at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT).
Foreign dignitaries were seated on one side of the colonnade, facing hundreds of red-robed cardinals. Among those attending were the presidents of Argentina, France, Gabon, Germany, Italy, the Philippines, Poland, and Ukraine, along with the prime ministers of Britain and New Zealand and several European royals. Former U.S. President Joe Biden and his wife Jill were among the first to arrive. The Vatican anticipated around 250,000 people filling the vast square and surrounding areas.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, aged 91, was chosen to lead the ceremony. “There’s so much energy here—some exhaustion too—but mostly gratitude to Pope Francis for everything he did for the Church,” said Mexican pilgrim Eduardo Valencia.
The first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years, Francis worked to reshape the Church, advocating for the poor and marginalized while urging wealthy nations to assist migrants and tackle climate change.
A formal summary placed next to his body praised him for “a wonderful testimony of humanity, a holy life, and universal fatherhood.”
Despite facing resistance from traditionalists, especially regarding his push for transparency and social reform, Francis remained committed to a simpler papacy. His funeral reflects that ethos: unlike his predecessors, Francis chose a shorter 90-minute service and a simpler burial. Instead of the traditional triple-casket burial, his body was placed in a single, zinc-lined wooden coffin.
Breaking further with custom, Francis will be buried outside Vatican grounds at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, about 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) from St. Peter’s. His tomb bears the simple inscription “Franciscus,” and his trademark iron cross hangs above the grave.
Following the funeral, his motorcade will travel through Rome, allowing locals to say farewell. Italy has enacted one of its most extensive security operations since the 2005 funeral of Pope John Paul II, including airspace closures and the deployment of anti-aircraft systems and patrol boats.
After Francis’s burial, focus will shift to the election of his successor. The conclave is unlikely to start before May 6, giving cardinals time for preliminary meetings to assess the Church’s internal challenges, including financial troubles and ideological divides.
