As the streets around St Peter's Basilica buzzed with life, over 8,000 security personnel ensured safety while various foreign dignitaries arrived to pay their respects. Among those present were US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who briefly met before the service, a topic that stirred social media interest.
The funeral itself was filled with color and emotion. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presided over the mass, skillfully weaving in readings in multiple languages while maintaining customary elements of Catholic tradition. His homily highlighted the late pope's advocacy for peace and migration, resonating strongly among a crowd estimated at 200,000.
As the mass concluded, Pope Francis’s coffin was carried through the streets of Rome, eliciting applause and homage from the throngs gathered to bid farewell. The hearse meandered past iconic landmarks before arriving at Santa Maria Maggiore, where he was laid to rest near a significant Virgin Mary icon.
The day unfolded seamlessly with no reported incidents, highlighting the cooperation of city officials and attendees alike. As preparations now begin for the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope—expected to be the largest in modern history—Catholics worldwide reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis and the unifying moment shared at his funeral.
The funeral itself was filled with color and emotion. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presided over the mass, skillfully weaving in readings in multiple languages while maintaining customary elements of Catholic tradition. His homily highlighted the late pope's advocacy for peace and migration, resonating strongly among a crowd estimated at 200,000.
As the mass concluded, Pope Francis’s coffin was carried through the streets of Rome, eliciting applause and homage from the throngs gathered to bid farewell. The hearse meandered past iconic landmarks before arriving at Santa Maria Maggiore, where he was laid to rest near a significant Virgin Mary icon.
The day unfolded seamlessly with no reported incidents, highlighting the cooperation of city officials and attendees alike. As preparations now begin for the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope—expected to be the largest in modern history—Catholics worldwide reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis and the unifying moment shared at his funeral.
