Thousands of mourners and more than 170 foreign dignitaries gathered in Vatican City on Saturday for the historic funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday following a stroke.
The funeral marked a significant departure from papal tradition, not only in tone but also in the pontiff’s final resting place.
In accordance with his wishes, Pope Francis will not be buried beneath St. Peter’s Basilica like his predecessors. Instead, his coffin—crafted from simple wood—will be laid to rest in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, on the outskirts of Rome. The pontiff had expressed a desire for a modest tomb, located at the church he frequently visited during his final days.
The funeral Mass began at 10:00 am CET in St. Peter’s Square and concluded around 11:45 am. Over the past three days, more than 250,000 pilgrims filed past his coffin for a final viewing before it was sealed on Friday.
The late pope’s humility and compassion for the marginalized drew global admiration. His last public message on X, posted just 24 hours before his death, read: "Christ is risen! This proclamation contains the entire meaning of our existence, which is not made for death but for life. #Easter"
Who is attending Pope Francis' funeral?
Despite the pope’s call for a subdued ceremony, the event became one of the most politically charged gatherings of recent years. Among the 170 foreign dignitaries in attendance were 54 heads of state and 12 reigning royals.
Notably present were:
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US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump
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Indian President Droupadi Murmu
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William
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French President Emmanuel Macron
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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska
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Argentina’s President Javier Milei
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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
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Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella
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UN Secretary-General António Guterres
Also in attendance were prominent European royals, including King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia, and Denmark’s newly crowned Queen Mary.
Despite being a unifying spiritual occasion, diplomatic awkwardness was unavoidable. President Trump and President Zelenskyy, whose relationship has been fraught with tensions over Ukraine’s war strategy, were attending the same event for the first time since a fiery exchange at the White House in February. Although seated apart due to alphabetical protocol, Zelenskyy reportedly requested a private meeting with Trump on the sidelines, though it remains unclear whether it will take place.
Trump also faced friction with President Macron over trade and with the EU leadership in general. Observers have noted that these tensions echo similar frictions during Pope John Paul II’s funeral in 2005, which became an arena for subtle geopolitical power plays.
Notable Absentees
Among the prominent absentees were Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, both of whom are currently facing international arrest warrants over alleged war crimes in Ukraine and Gaza, respectively.
Remembering the First Latin American Pope
Pope Francis—born Jorge Mario Bergoglio—was the first pontiff from Latin America and a vocal advocate for the poor, migrants, and climate justice. As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he developed a reputation for simplicity and compassion, traits that shaped his papacy from 2013 until his death.
His leadership style was often contrasted with more traditional Vatican stances. He emphasized outreach to the LGBTQ+ community, denounced clerical abuse, and consistently criticized global inequality and environmental degradation.
What Comes Next?
The Pope’s death triggers ancient Vatican rituals and the convening of a papal conclave in the coming weeks to elect his successor. While details of the conclave remain confidential, the College of Cardinals will gather in Vatican City under strict security and secrecy to deliberate.
For now, the world pauses to remember a spiritual leader who reshaped the papacy with a message of peace, humility, and inclusiveness—one final act echoing in his simple burial beyond the Vatican walls.
