In an extraordinary display of global mourning, tens of thousands of faithful packed St. Peter’s Square on Saturday to bid farewell to Pope Francis, the beloved champion of the poor and the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church.
The 88-year-old Argentine pontiff, who passed away on Monday following complications from a stroke and heart failure, leaves behind a transformative 12-year papacy marked by compassion, inclusion, and social justice advocacy.
World Leaders and Royals Attend Vatican Funeral
Crowds began gathering overnight to secure a place at the Vatican funeral service, which commenced at 10:00 am (0800 GMT). The event drew an estimated 200,000 mourners, alongside an unprecedented diplomatic gathering of over 50 world leaders.
Dignitaries in attendance included U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Argentine President Javier Milei. Members of royal families, including Britain’s Prince William, also paid their respects. Notably absent was a Chinese delegation, as the country lacks formal diplomatic ties with the Vatican.
Amid tight security, Vatican City was transformed into a fortress with no-fly zones, fighter jets on standby, and snipers positioned on rooftops. Italian and Vatican authorities mounted one of the largest security operations in the city’s history to ensure the solemn event proceeded smoothly.
Global Tributes to a Humble, Reform-Minded Pope
During his papacy, Pope Francis was widely admired for his humble lifestyle, often choosing simple robes over lavish vestments and living in a modest Vatican guesthouse rather than the papal palace. His final wish was honored with a burial in a plain wooden coffin within a simple marble tomb at Santa Maria Maggiore — the first pope to be interred outside Vatican walls in over a century.
Faithful from around the world, including large groups from his native Argentina, gathered in Vatican City and held vigils globally. In Buenos Aires, Catholics watched live broadcasts of the funeral, remembering a leader who reshaped the Church’s approach to social issues.
“He wasn’t just the pope — he showed us what it means to be human,” said Andrea Ugalde, 39, who flew from Los Angeles to attend the funeral Mass.
A Legacy of Inclusion and Controversy
Pope Francis’s tenure was marked by groundbreaking reforms and bold positions on global issues. He openly criticized the treatment of migrants, spoke against climate change denial, and called for greater inclusion of marginalized groups within the Church.
His decision to allow divorced Catholics to receive communion, approve the baptism of transgender believers, and offer blessings for same-sex couples was both celebrated and controversial. While he maintained the Church’s traditional stance against abortion, his progressive approach challenged long-standing conventions within Catholicism.
The pope’s final public act, a heartfelt Easter Sunday blessing, appealed for protection of the vulnerable and marginalized — a reflection of the values that defined his leadership.
What’s Next for the Catholic Church
Following the funeral, the Vatican begins nine days of official mourning. Soon after, the College of Cardinals will convene for a conclave to elect a new pope, tasked with guiding the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
As Pope Francis is laid to rest, his lasting impact on the Church’s path toward greater compassion, humility, and social justice remains indelible.
