World Mourns Pope Francis: A Final Farewell at St. Peter's Square
On Wednesday, thousands of people waited under the warm spring sun in St. Peter's Square to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, whose simple wooden coffin lay on the main altar of the iconic 16th-century basilica. The beloved Pope, who served as the leader of over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, passed away at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta due to complications from a stroke and heart failure, following a bout of double pneumonia that required a five-week hospital stay.
In alignment with his wishes for a modest funeral service, Francis was dressed in his papal vestments, holding a rosary and surrounded by the traditional red cloth in his open casket. Departing from the customs followed by many of his predecessors, his coffin was not elevated on a platform, reflecting the papal reforms he instituted for funerals last year. Vigilantly watched over by Swiss Guards, his body is set to lie in state until Friday evening.
The formal funeral mass is scheduled for Saturday morning at St. Peter's Square, where numerous world leaders—including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, US President Donald Trump, and Prince William—are expected to attend. Subsequently, Pope Francis will be laid to rest at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome's Esquilino neighborhood, diverging from long-established Vatican traditions.
On Wednesday morning, a wave of solemn applause resonated through the square as pallbearers carried his coffin, flanked by a procession of cardinals and bishops. The bells of the basilica tolled softly, accompanied by a choir chanting psalms in Latin, calling upon the crowd to join in prayer. Cardinal Thomas Christopher Collins, a former Archbishop of Toronto, described the atmosphere as profoundly moving, stating, "But from the simple prayers to the incense, it was no different from a funeral ritual that any baptized person would have."
By noon, Vatican officials reported that over 20,000 mourners from all over the globe had queued to pay their respects, with many shielding themselves from the sun under umbrellas. Abigail and her family from California expressed their willingness to wait, stating, "It's a privilege to be here."
Despite the knowledge of the Pope's illness, some attendees, like Piotr Grzeszyk from Poland, found it hard to come to terms with his passing. Meanwhile, Vicky Cabral and her family traveled from Buenos Aires, having witnessed the Pope's last public appearance during the Easter Sunday Mass just a day prior. They expressed their gratitude for being in Rome during this significant time, reflecting on the potential for Francis to be canonized.
As mourners entered the expansive basilica, they moved in silence toward the altar. Francesco Catini, who had traveled from Venice, described the experience as beautiful, noting that Francis embodied peace, love, humility, and solidarity. Similarly, Chiara Frassine from Brescia expressed her admiration, stating, "Pope Francis had a pure soul. He was a humble point of reference for many people, not just Catholics."
Remarkably, not all attendees identified as Catholic. Gunnar Prieß from Germany mentioned he made a special trip to the Vatican—not as a follower of the faith, but to witness the majestic displays of reverence that pay homage to a history stretching back 2,000 years. He acknowledged the aura surrounding such a monumental occasion, aiming to immerse himself in the experience.
As the funeral rituals unfold, speculation grows regarding Francis's successor. The conclave, the secretive process of electing a new pope, is not expected to occur before May 6. Although no clear frontrunner has emerged, reform-minded figures like Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines and Italy's Pietro Parolin have garnered attention. Cardinal Collins, at 78, will also participate but refrained from revealing any insights about the potential next pope.
Related Sources: