The funeral of Pope Francis unfolded on April 26, 2025, amid a crowd of thousands in Vatican City, honoring a pontiff who emphasized humility and inclusion throughout his papacy. Attended by numerous dignitaries, including U.S. President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky, the service marked a poignant moment for Catholics worldwide. The pontiff's simple coffin sat before a backdrop of dignitaries, cardinals in procession, and heartfelt hymns, encapsulating the profound impact of a leader who advocated for the marginalized.
Farewell to Pope Francis: A Humble Goodbye Amid Grand Ceremonies
Farewell to Pope Francis: A Humble Goodbye Amid Grand Ceremonies
As world leaders gather at St. Peter's Basilica, mourners celebrate the life and legacy of Pope Francis during his funeral Mass.
April 26, 2025, 5:42 a.m. ET – By Emma Bubola and John Yoon, Reporting from Vatican City
Pope Francis’s funeral Mass drew a large crowd to St. Peter’s Square as thousands of mourners paid their respects. Attended by notable world leaders such as Presidents Trump and Zelensky, the solemn ceremony unfolded under the bright April sky, resonating with Francis's enduring spirit of inclusivity. While his passing is felt amid geopolitical tensions, the average faithful, who found solace in his messages, also gathered to honor the humble shepherd who transformed the papacy.
The ceremony showcased Francis’s wishes for a simpler, more pastoral funeral, with the service shifting away from traditional grandeur while still honoring longstanding Catholic rites. A wooden coffin, adorned with heartfelt tributes and surrounded by prayers in various languages, bore witness to a legacy that defined his papacy.
Inside St. Peter's, an audience of over 200,000 heard Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re deliver the eulogy, painting Francis as a beacon of hope whose “doors were always open.” Emphasizing the pope’s pastoral responsibilities, Re called to mind Francis's commitment to addressing contemporary issues, such as the refugee crisis and social justice.
As final farewells were exchanged, security heightened throughout Vatican City, with thousands of officials ensuring the event unfolded smoothly. Following the Mass, Pope Francis’s body will be transported to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial, embodying his values of humility reflected in his final resting place, inscribed with a simple, solitary word: "Franciscus."
In closing, as the Vatican prepares for the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope, the focus remains on the legacy Francis leaves behind—a reminder of the significance of compassion and humility in leadership and faith.
Pope Francis’s funeral Mass drew a large crowd to St. Peter’s Square as thousands of mourners paid their respects. Attended by notable world leaders such as Presidents Trump and Zelensky, the solemn ceremony unfolded under the bright April sky, resonating with Francis's enduring spirit of inclusivity. While his passing is felt amid geopolitical tensions, the average faithful, who found solace in his messages, also gathered to honor the humble shepherd who transformed the papacy.
The ceremony showcased Francis’s wishes for a simpler, more pastoral funeral, with the service shifting away from traditional grandeur while still honoring longstanding Catholic rites. A wooden coffin, adorned with heartfelt tributes and surrounded by prayers in various languages, bore witness to a legacy that defined his papacy.
Inside St. Peter's, an audience of over 200,000 heard Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re deliver the eulogy, painting Francis as a beacon of hope whose “doors were always open.” Emphasizing the pope’s pastoral responsibilities, Re called to mind Francis's commitment to addressing contemporary issues, such as the refugee crisis and social justice.
As final farewells were exchanged, security heightened throughout Vatican City, with thousands of officials ensuring the event unfolded smoothly. Following the Mass, Pope Francis’s body will be transported to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial, embodying his values of humility reflected in his final resting place, inscribed with a simple, solitary word: "Franciscus."
In closing, as the Vatican prepares for the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope, the focus remains on the legacy Francis leaves behind—a reminder of the significance of compassion and humility in leadership and faith.
