Pope Francis honored by thousands in solemn Vatican funeral

Vatican City (Web Desk): Presidents, royalty, and ordinary mourners came together on Saturday to honor Pope Francis in a solemn funeral service, where Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re called on the faithful to preserve the pope's legacy of compassion for migrants, the underprivileged, and the environment.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously disagreed with Francis on many global issues, joined a long line of dignitaries seated near the late pope's coffin in St. Peter’s Square. Across from them sat cardinals who will soon assemble to elect the next pope, weighing whether to continue Francis' progressive vision or move toward a more traditional approach.

The Argentine-born pope, who served for 12 years, passed away at 88 following a stroke earlier this week.

In his eulogy, the 91-year-old Cardinal Re highlighted Francis' “profound humanity and responsiveness to the issues of the modern world," adding that the Church must move forward and not revert to past ways. Francis, he said, was deeply in tune with the needs and spirit of the time.

The ceremony also became an occasion for diplomacy: President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy inside St. Peter’s Basilica, discussing efforts to end the conflict with Russia.

The crowd applauded warmly as Francis’ coffin, adorned with a prominent cross, was carried out of the basilica by pallbearers in white gloves. Over 250,000 people packed St. Peter’s Square and surrounding streets, according to Vatican estimates.

From the sky, the scene resembled a quilt of dark suits, crimson cardinal vestments, purple bishop robes, and the white garb of over 4,000 priests.

After the Mass, the pope’s coffin was placed onto an open-topped popemobile and taken through the streets of Rome to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Staying true to his humble spirit, Francis had requested burial outside St. Peter’s Basilica—the first pope to do so in more than a hundred years.

Police estimated that around 150,000 mourners lined the 5.5-kilometer procession route, tossing flowers and shouting "Viva il Papa!" (Long live the Pope) and "Ciao, Francesco!" as the convoy passed famous Roman landmarks like the Colosseum.

During the funeral Mass, choirs sang traditional Latin hymns while prayers were offered in multiple languages—Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, and Arabic—symbolizing the Catholic Church’s global diversity.

Many pilgrims spent the night outdoors to secure front-row views. “When I reached the square, I was overwhelmed with sadness and gratitude. Pope Francis gave so much to the Church,” said French pilgrim Aurelie Andre.

Francis, the first non-European pope in almost thirteen centuries, championed the causes of the poor and vulnerable, while urging powerful nations to address climate change and migration crises.

A summary of his papacy, written in Latin and placed beside his body, praised him as a man of "holy life and universal fatherhood."

Breaking with tradition, Francis had simplified the funeral arrangements, choosing a single zinc-lined wooden coffin instead of the customary three-layered burial. His tomb bears a simple Latin inscription: "Franciscus," with his beloved iron-plated cross hanging above the marble grave.