In an extraordinary farewell, world leaders, royals, and religious figures from across the globe gathered at St. Peter’s Square on Saturday to honor the life and legacy of Pope Francis, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 88 following a stroke.
Pope’s funeral turnout tallies at over 200,000 in attendance
Aerial footage captures somber, cathardic scenes pic.twitter.com/mDMF64P3gi
— RT (@RT_com) April 26, 2025
Over 50 heads of state, 10 monarchs, and 130 international delegations attended the ceremony. Among the high-profile attendees were U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and Argentinian President Javier Milei.
#WATCH | Vatican City | President Droupadi Murmu, along with other world leaders, attends the state funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21.
(Source: US Network Pool via Reuters) pic.twitter.com/3ECVRfRL8H
— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2025
India’s delegation, led by President Droupadi Murmu, included Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State George Kurian, and Goa Deputy Speaker Joshua De Souza.
President Droupadi Murmu paid homage to His Holiness Pope Francis at Basilica of Saint Peter in Vatican City. pic.twitter.com/eymWVVZi4J
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 25, 2025
The United Kingdom was represented by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William, while Russia, despite President Vladimir Putin’s absence, sent its Culture Minister. In a remarkable gesture, China permitted Hong Kong’s Cardinal Joseph Zen to attend the funeral, a rare move underscoring Pope Francis’ efforts to bridge longstanding divides.
The funeral mass commenced at 10:00 a.m. local time (1:30 p.m. IST) in the shadow of St. Peter’s Basilica, where the pontiff’s body was placed in a traditional cypress-wood coffin. In keeping with Vatican customs, it will be sealed within two additional wooden coffins before burial.
Pope’s last journey: Simple coffin carried to St. Peter’s Square for funeral pic.twitter.com/KAYChzBvq6
— RT (@RT_com) April 26, 2025
Breaking with centuries of tradition, the late Pope will be laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, marking the first time in more than 500 years that a pope will be buried outside the Vatican.
The Vatican confirmed that the funeral date was decided during a general congregation of the College of Cardinals, the first formal step toward the conclave, which is expected to convene within the next three weeks.
Pope Francis, the first pope from Latin America, leaves behind a transformative legacy rooted in humility, social justice, and a deep commitment to interfaith dialogue. His sudden passing came less than a month after he returned home from a grueling five-week hospital stay for double pneumonia.
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