World Leaders and Millions Mourn as Pope Francis is Laid to Rest
Huge crowds of mourners and dozens of world leaders attended the funeral of Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88 after 12 years leading the Catholic Church, in Saint Peter's Square on Saturday. The Vatican reported that 160 delegations were present, including approximately 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns. Among those in attendance were US President Donald Trump, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, Argentine President Javier Milei, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and Premier Giorgia Meloni.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Abdullah II of Jordan, as well as numerous other presidents, including Germany's Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and France's Emmanuel Macron, were also present. The Vatican stated that about 200,000 people attended the funeral based on initial reports from competent authorities as the service began.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, honored Pope Francis's spirit of sacrifice in his homily. Despite his final fragility and suffering, Pope Francis chose to walk the path of self-giving until his last day. "He followed in the footsteps of his Lord, the good Shepherd who loved his sheep to the point of giving his own life for them," Re said as he presided over the funeral.
In a display of unity, thousands gathered to pray for Pope Francis, hoping that God may receive him in the immensity of His love. Cardinal Re reflected on the late pope's commitment to peace and his repeated calls to end wars, as well as his focus on the plight of migrants and the needy. These remarks drew applause from the crowd in Saint Peter's Square and outside the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where a large screen was set up for those unable to enter.
On the morning of the funeral, Rome police reported that thousands of faithful had already gathered along the six-kilometer route of the late pontiff's funeral procession from Saint Peter's to Saint Mary Major. The late pontiff would often visit Saint Mary Major to pray before and after every apostolic journey and expressed his wish to be buried there, rather than in Saint Peter's like most of his predecessors.
An estimated 250,000 people queued for hours to pay their last respects to the late Argentine pontiff during his lying in state, which lasted from Wednesday to Friday in Saint Peter's Basilica. Premier Giorgia Meloni was among the first officials to honor his memory on Wednesday.
The profound tribute to Pope Francis underlined his commitment to global peace, compassion, and the well-being of humanity, embodying a leadership that emphasized hope and faith in the face of challenges. As world leaders and millions continue to mourn, the legacy of Pope Francis as a guiding light for the Catholic Church and beyond remains visible through the love he fostered among people around the globe.
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