Pope Francis, the beloved 88-year-old pontiff renowned for his humility, compassion, and tireless advocacy for the marginalized, was laid to rest today in a historic and deeply moving ceremony at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Drawing a crowd of nearly 200,000 mourners and over 50 world leaders, the funeral marked the beginning of nine days of official mourning at the Vatican.
The funeral mass began at 10:00 am CET (1:30 pm IST) in the majestic Baroque plaza in front of St Peter's Basilica, presided over by Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals. The event was a global farewell to a leader who reshaped modern Catholicism and inspired millions across the world.
The Passing of a Humble Servant
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, following a heart failure induced by a stroke, just weeks after recovering from a five-week hospitalization for double pneumonia. Remarkably, only 20 hours before his death, the Pope had made his last public appearance during the Easter celebrations, where he urged humanity to renew its hope for peace and to protect the vulnerable.
Known as the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church, Francis’ legacy is one of profound reform, compassion, and outreach, especially to the marginalized communities including refugees, migrants, and the LGBTQ+ population.
Funeral Ceremony: A Detailed Overview
The funeral mass began at 10:00 am CET (1:30 pm IST) in the Baroque plaza before St. Peter's Basilica. Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, presided over the ceremony.
Official program of the day:
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9:00 am IST: St Peter’s Square opened for the public.
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1:00 pm IST: US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived.
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1:30 pm IST:
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Funeral mass commenced.
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Pope Francis’s wooden and zinc coffin, sealed the evening before, was placed in front of the Basilica before a temporary raised altar.
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Red-robed cardinals were seated to the left, and official delegations from around the world were seated to the right, arranged alphabetically.
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A total of 224 cardinals and 750 priests and bishops were present.
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3:00 pm IST:
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The coffin departed for the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, a 4-kilometre procession route in a modified vehicle previously used during Francis’s 2015 visit to the Philippines, allowing public viewing.
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4:30 pm IST:
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The coffin arrived at Santa Maria Maggiore, welcomed by a group of the "poor and needy," where Pope Francis was buried in a private ceremony presided over by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo.
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Burial Choice Reflects Humility
In a break from tradition, Pope Francis chose to be buried not inside the Vatican but at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, reflecting his personal values of modesty and service.
Attendance: A Global Tribute
The funeral witnessed a major international turnout with a strong security presence mounted by Italian and Vatican authorities.
Thousands of people had gathered overnight to secure a place at the funeral. Over the past three days leading to the funeral, approximately 250,000 people paid their respects as the Pope lay in state at St. Peter’s Basilica. The Italian and Vatican authorities launched a major security operation to manage the overwhelming turnout.
Prominent attendees included:
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Asia:
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India: President Droupadi Murmu
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Philippines: President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady Liza Marcos
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Americas:
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USA: President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump
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Argentina: President Javier Milei
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Brazil: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife Janja
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United Nations: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
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Europe:
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France: President Emmanuel Macron
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Germany: President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz
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Hungary: President Tamas Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orban
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Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena Zelenska
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United Kingdom: Prince William (representing King Charles III) and Prime Minister Keir Starmer
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Notably absent:
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Russian President Vladimir Putin
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
(both facing international arrest warrants).
Indian Tributes: Mourning a Leader of Humankind
India officially observed a day of mourning on Pope Francis’s demise.
Key Indian acknowledgments:
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President Droupadi Murmu
Paid homage at the Basilica of St. Peter, accompanied by:-
Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju
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Minister of State George Kurian
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Deputy Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Joshua De Souza
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Shared condolences on X (formerly Twitter), stating:"The world will always remember his service to society."
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Union Minister George Kurian
Described Pope Francis as a "leader of humankind" who "acknowledged and respected all races and religions and served everyone," emphasizing the special bond between India and the Pope. -
Goa’s Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
Held a special prayer service led by Parish Priest Father Walter De Sa."He revolutionised the world by inculcating human and Gospel values," said Father De Sa after the prayer meeting.
Rashtrapati Ji pays homage to His Holiness, Pope Francis on behalf of the people of India. The world will always remember his service to society. https://t.co/eW73nRp4MZ— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2025
Trump and Pope Francis: A Complex Relationship
Despite attending the funeral to pay his respects, US President Donald Trump had a complex and often strained relationship with Pope Francis. Early in their acquaintance, tensions arose when Francis criticized Trump's hardline immigration policies, suggesting that "anyone who builds walls instead of bridges is not Christian." Trump had called the Pope’s remark "disgraceful." Nevertheless, Trump made it clear that his presence at the funeral was “out of respect” for the pontiff.
Legacy of Pope Francis: Compassion, Reform, and Inclusion
During his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis transformed the Catholic Church’s global image. His tenure was marked by:
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Advocacy for refugee and migrant rights
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Strong calls for climate action
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Efforts toward economic justice
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Greater inclusion for LGBTQ+ individuals within the Church
His final public blessing during Easter urged protection for the vulnerable and the renewal of hope and peace.
From Buenos Aires to the Vatican, Francis’s journey was one of profound impact — a journey that touched millions and left an indelible legacy of compassion, reform, and humility.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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