Pope Francis’s coffin departed the Vatican on Saturday in a white popemobile, following a solemn funeral mass at St. Peter’s Square attended by tens of thousands of mourners.
Crowds lined the streets of Rome as the cortege made its way to the pontiff’s final resting place—the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. It marks the first time in over a century that a pope will be buried outside the Vatican walls.
A towering figure in global faith and the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church, Francis passed away on Monday at age 88 from a stroke and heart failure, less than a month after being discharged from hospital following a lengthy battle with pneumonia.
Known as a champion of the poor and a voice for the marginalized, the Argentine Jesuit led the Church for 12 years, steering it toward greater inclusivity and compassion.
St. Peter’s Square overflowed with mourners on Saturday, many of whom had waited overnight for a place at the funeral. Among those in attendance were U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, royal dignitaries, and hundreds of red-robed cardinals from around the world.
“Pope Francis wasn’t just the pope—he embodied what it means to be truly human,” said Andrea Ugalde, 39, who traveled from Los Angeles to attend the funeral.
Over 250,000 people visited St. Peter’s Basilica during the three days the pontiff lay in state. On Friday alone, large crowds gathered from dawn to pay their final respects.
The funeral marks the beginning of nine days of official mourning at the Vatican. Afterward, cardinals will convene in conclave to elect the Church’s 267th pope, who will lead more than 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
A divisive but beloved figure
Pope Francis’s progressive reforms and outspoken criticism of social injustice often placed him at odds with both conservative Church factions and political leaders. He condemned the mistreatment of migrants and warned of the dangers of climate change—stances that sometimes drew ire from powerful nations.
Despite tensions, his humility, empathy, and connection to ordinary people won widespread admiration. “He loved the world,” President Trump remarked after arriving in Rome with First Lady Melania to pay tribute, calling Francis “a good man.”
Trump’s visit, his first foreign trip since beginning a second term, has drawn attention from world leaders eager to address ongoing trade disputes. Ukrainian President Zelensky, attending amid his country’s continued conflict with Russia, has reportedly sought a private meeting with the U.S. president, though nothing has been confirmed.
A life of simplicity and service
True to his namesake—Saint Francis of Assisi—the late pope chose a life of humility. He rejected the traditional papal palace for a modest guesthouse and wore simple robes in place of ornate vestments.
His final act, the day before his death, was an Easter Sunday blessing of the entire world, reiterating his lifelong appeal for the protection of the vulnerable, the poor, and the displaced.
Francis’s wish to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore, a basilica he frequented throughout his life, reflects his devotion to simplicity and spiritual closeness with the faithful. His funeral was a grand farewell, with 224 cardinals and 750 bishops and priests in attendance, alongside global dignitaries.
Around the world, Catholics gathered in churches, squares, and homes to watch the funeral live, including in his native Buenos Aires—where bells tolled in his honor and tears flowed freely.
