VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony attracted dignitaries and members of the Catholic Church from around the world to St. Peter’s Square on Saturday. Among them were U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the United Nations’ chief, alongside European Union leaders, Prince William, and the Spanish royals. Despite the high-profile attendance, it was the gathering of prisoners and migrants outside St. Mary Major Basilica, where Francis was laid to rest, that truly mirrored the pontiff’s commitment to the marginalized.
Eschewing recent Vatican tradition, Francis was interred in an unadorned underground tomb at St. Mary Major, marked simply with his name, Franciscus. This act reflects the late pontiff’s humility and dedication to simplicity and service.
In New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral, mourners gathered to remember Pope Francis as a paternal figure. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia described him as a trustful and humble leader who saw himself as a sinner uplifted by divine grace. This humility, Caccia noted, earned Francis the recognition as a “pope of the people,” an accolade stemming from his profound humanity and accessibility.
The sentiments were echoed by Rev. Fabian Marquez from Texas, who, despite planning a trip to Rome for a different occasion, found himself partaking in the funeral Mass. Marquez highlighted the importance of continuing Francis’ work in supporting migrants—an integral part of the Pope’s legacy.
Meanwhile, in Argentina, thousands convened at Buenos Aires’ cathedral, where Francis had once served as Archbishop. Witnessing the ceremony from afar, many took to the streets, visibly moved at the passing of a native son and seen as the first Latin American pope.
As the rites of burial were performed for Francis in a private ceremony attended by high-ranking cardinals, his legacy as a pope dedicated to the people became evident. This sentiment was personified by Annamaria Martinez, a Venezuelan migrant who met the coffin and spoke of Francis’s deep understanding of the challenges faced by those like her.
Notably absent from the funeral was King Charles III, who, despite a close rapport with the Pope, delegated the responsibility to his son, Prince William. Historians suggest this decision was steeped in historical context regarding the relationship between the Church of England and the Vatican.
Throughout the day, the streets of Rome were lined with onlookers paying their last respects. The pope’s coffin traveled by popemobile, a mode of transport Francis adored, giving the faithful one last chance to connect with the spiritual leader.
Inside St. Peter’s Basilica, a meditative litany set the tone for the funeral Mass, while Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re elaborated on Francis’s virtues in his eulogy, calling him a communicator who possessed a rare ability to connect with the people’s hearts.
In the midst of the significant global turnout to honor Francis, an unexpected meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy occurred, marking a convergence between matters of faith and international diplomacy.
On this somber occasion, as cardinals gathered in their ceremonial regalia and the Vatican announced throngs of attendees, the world bid farewell to Pope Francis. His legacy of humility, compassion, and dedication to the underserved lives on—a legacy that many pray will inspire a continuation of his message of peace and goodwill.