On Saturday, April 26, 2025, Pope Francis was laid to rest in a deeply moving ceremony at St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City. The funeral was attended by over 250,000 mourners, including heads of state, royalty, and clergy from around the world .
The service commenced with the solemn procession of Pope Francis’s simple wooden coffin into St. Peter’s Square. It was carried by 14 pallbearers, accompanied by Swiss Guards and mourners. The coffin was then placed before the altar, where the funeral Mass was celebrated .
In a departure from tradition, Pope Francis had requested to be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, reflecting his devotion to the Madonna. After the Mass, the coffin was transported through Rome to the basilica, where he was interred in a simple tomb inscribed with his name, “Franciscus” .
The ceremony was marked by multilingual prayers and vivid displays of global ecclesiastical unity, underscoring Pope Francis’s legacy of compassion, advocacy for migrants, care for the environment, and reform within the Church .
The funeral also set the stage for the upcoming papal conclave, scheduled for May 5, 2025, to elect his successor. Over 130 cardinals, who are eligible to vote, participated in the service, signaling the Church’s transition into a new chapter .
Global Leaders and Mourners Pay Tribute at Pope Francis’ Funeral
