More than 250,000 worshipers, religious and political figures, lined St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Saturday to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis, who died earlier this week at the age of 88.
The service started at St. Peter’s Basilica shortly after 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET), lasting just over two hours.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, one of the most senior figures in the Catholic Church, led the simplified ceremony, in a series of rituals of religious hymns, an emotional homily and a final farewell to the pope, who was the first Latin American pontiff.
Francis’ modest coffin was then transported in the white popemobile over the River Tiber to be entombed in Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore – an illuminated basilica that sits atop the highest point in the Italian capital.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
Here’s how the day unfolded:
• Mourners and world leaders assemble: The pope’s funeral saw one of the largest gatherings of world leaders in recent years. A total of 130 delegations, including presidents and reigning monarchs, were in attendance. Argentine President Javier Milei, Britain’s Prince William, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky were among the most high-profile guests.
• Trump and Zelensky summit: The US and Ukrainian leaders met minutes before the funeral began Saturday, speaking face-to-face on two chairs that had been set up inside the St. Peter’s Basilica. A White House spokesman accompanying Trump said that the two leaders “had a very productive discussion.” A spokesman for Zelensky said the meeting lasted for about 15 minutes, and the leaders agreed to continue talks. The Ukrainian leader also held sideline meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
• High security: Authorities in Rome ramped up security measures ahead of the service, deploying more than 2,000 police officers, sharpshooters and specialist forces. A further 400 traffic officers were on shift, the city’s police department told CNN.
• ‘Pope among the people:’ The 91-year-old Re eulogized the late pontiff’s “deeply sensitive” leadership, in a poignant sermon read out on the footsteps of St. Peter’s Basilica. “Faced with the raging wars of recent years, with their inhuman horrors and countless deaths and destruction, Pope Francis incessantly raised his voice imploring peace,” said Re. The late pontiff insistently advocated for communities in war-ravaged regions until his final days, including in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and South Sudan.
• Young worshipers pay respects: An array of mourners, including streams of young people and pilgrims from Indonesia, the US, the Philippines and France, pitched up at St. Peter’s Square overnight – a testament to Pope Francis’ wide appeal. Some of his most liberal supporters believe he was not reformist enough, but others say he has carved a progressive legacy in his wake, having transformed the Catholic Church for its 1.4 billion followers.
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