Pope Francis, who died at 88 years old on April 21, was laid to rest Saturday at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. More than 250,000 individuals showed up to bid farewell to the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The event took place at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, attracting both young people and world leaders, offering a glimpse into our current political landscape.
During the funeral, Pope Francis was honored as a pontiff who emulated St. Francis of Assisi, with the dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, delivering the homily. He was described as someone who connected directly with individuals and communities, showing particular care for those facing challenges, especially the marginalized. The late pope was commended for his open-hearted approach and attentiveness to the evolving dynamics within the Church.
The funeral saw the participation of numerous young people, with thousands of teenagers present in St. Peter’s Square to pay their respects. Among them were around 80,000 teenagers who had registered for the Jubilee of Teenagers, a special event for worshippers between 12 and 17 years old. Some adjustments had to be made to the scheduled events due to Pope Francis’ passing, including the postponement of Carlo Acutis’ canonization. Acutis, known for his unwavering devotion to the Eucharist, is set to become the first saint from the millennial generation.
As the mourners gathered in St. Peter’s Square, they broke into applause when pallbearers carried Pope Francis’ coffin outside. This moment marked the pope’s final official act, following his Easter Sunday celebration a day before his death. Young American journalist Kielce Gussie, 28, delivered the first reading in English during the funeral proceedings.
The funeral also saw the attendance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who received applause from the crowd present. Zelenskyy, accompanied by his wife Olena Zelenska, has led Ukraine during a period of conflict with Russia. His meeting with President Donald Trump prior to the funeral was described as productive by the White House Communications Director.
The poignant sight of the wind blowing the pages of the Book of the Gospels resting on the pope’s coffin in St. Peter’s Square was a defining moment of the funeral. This symbolic gesture was accompanied by the tolling of bells as Pope Francis’ coffin was brought back into the basilica. The funeral procession, which lasted over two hours, concluded with the pope’s coffin being taken to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major for his final resting place.
Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Rome along the four-mile route from St. Peter’s Basilica to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, paying their respects to Pope Francis. Tears and applause filled the atmosphere as the late pontiff’s coffin made its way through the city, passing by historical landmarks such as the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. This marked the last time Pope Francis was seen in public before his burial, with the Basilica of Saint Mary Major set to reopen to visitors the following day.
