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A Final Goodbye: Over 200,000 Mourners Fill St. Peter's Square To Honor Pope Francis
Photo credit: Vatican News
Under the bright Roman sun, St. Peter’s Square became a sea of people on Saturday as more than 200,000 mourners gathered to bid farewell to Pope Francis — the first Latin American pope and a beloved figure who led the Catholic Church for the past 12 years.
It was a powerful, emotional scene. Crowds stretched far down the Via della Conciliazione, all there to say goodbye to a man known for his warmth, humility, and fierce advocacy for mercy and peace.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, presided over the funeral Mass, sharing touching words about Pope Francis’ legacy. He spoke of Francis’ deep compassion, his spontaneity, and his vision of the Church as a “field hospital” — a place where everyone, regardless of their beliefs or struggles, could find healing.
“Evangelization was the guiding principle of his pontificate,” Re said, as the bells of St. Peter’s tolled in solemn tribute.
Throughout the Mass, Pope Francis’ simple wooden coffin rested at the altar. Many couldn’t hold back tears as Cardinal Re prayed for the late pope’s soul, entrusting him to God’s eternal love.
The funeral drew an incredible list of world leaders — U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and dozens of others. Even royal families were there: Prince William stood in for King Charles III, while Spanish King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia sat close to the altar.
Pilgrims camped out overnight just to secure a spot, bringing flowers, rosaries, and handwritten notes thanking Pope Francis for changing their lives.
The liturgy followed a slightly updated funeral rite — changes Pope Francis himself had requested in 2024. Scripture readings were full of hope and resurrection, fitting for a man who always preached about God’s boundless mercy.
In total, over 200 cardinals and 750 bishops and priests joined the Mass, and more than 4,000 journalists from around the world covered the event. The Vatican estimated the total crowd at over 250,000 — an extraordinary outpouring of love and respect.
Cardinal Re’s homily was a moving reflection of Francis’ life. He recalled the pope’s fearless trips — from war-torn Iraq to the U.S.-Mexico border — always standing with those on the margins. Re’s mention of Francis’ calls for peace during times of war even drew spontaneous applause from the mourners.
When it came time for the final blessing, the crowd prayed the Litany of Saints together in Latin, asking the angels to lead Pope Francis home. The “In Paradisum” was sung — a beautiful tradition asking for the saints to welcome the soul into paradise.
Fittingly, Pope Francis won’t be buried in the Vatican grottoes like most popes. In keeping with his wishes, his body will be taken in a simple procession to the Basilica of St. Mary Major — a church he visited over 100 times during his life. There, he’ll rest under a modest tomb, marked only by the word: Franciscus.
Remembering the Life of Pope Francis
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis became a Jesuit at 21, then a priest, then a bishop, and finally a cardinal. When he was elected pope in 2013 at age 76, he made history — the first Jesuit, the first from the Americas, and the first to take the name Francis, after the saint devoted to peace, the poor, and nature.
Throughout his 12 years as pope, Francis became known for his focus on mercy, care for creation, and outreach to the “peripheries” — to the people so often forgotten by society. He canonized more saints than any pope before him, published four major encyclicals, and traveled to nearly every corner of the world (though he never did return to Argentina).
In his final years, Francis faced serious health struggles, but he continued working tirelessly — speaking out against war, leading the Church through the pandemic, and pushing for major reforms.
As the Church now enters its traditional nine-day mourning period, Cardinal Re summed up what many were feeling. He recalled how Pope Francis always ended his speeches asking, “Please, don’t forget to pray for me.”
Now, the Cardinal said, “Dear Pope Francis, we now ask you to pray for us.”
From the balconies of heaven, surely, Francis smiles — still holding high the torch of hope he carried so faithfully on Earth.
It was a powerful, emotional scene. Crowds stretched far down the Via della Conciliazione, all there to say goodbye to a man known for his warmth, humility, and fierce advocacy for mercy and peace.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, presided over the funeral Mass, sharing touching words about Pope Francis’ legacy. He spoke of Francis’ deep compassion, his spontaneity, and his vision of the Church as a “field hospital” — a place where everyone, regardless of their beliefs or struggles, could find healing.
“Evangelization was the guiding principle of his pontificate,” Re said, as the bells of St. Peter’s tolled in solemn tribute.
Throughout the Mass, Pope Francis’ simple wooden coffin rested at the altar. Many couldn’t hold back tears as Cardinal Re prayed for the late pope’s soul, entrusting him to God’s eternal love.
The funeral drew an incredible list of world leaders — U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and dozens of others. Even royal families were there: Prince William stood in for King Charles III, while Spanish King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia sat close to the altar.
Pilgrims camped out overnight just to secure a spot, bringing flowers, rosaries, and handwritten notes thanking Pope Francis for changing their lives.
The liturgy followed a slightly updated funeral rite — changes Pope Francis himself had requested in 2024. Scripture readings were full of hope and resurrection, fitting for a man who always preached about God’s boundless mercy.
In total, over 200 cardinals and 750 bishops and priests joined the Mass, and more than 4,000 journalists from around the world covered the event. The Vatican estimated the total crowd at over 250,000 — an extraordinary outpouring of love and respect.
Cardinal Re’s homily was a moving reflection of Francis’ life. He recalled the pope’s fearless trips — from war-torn Iraq to the U.S.-Mexico border — always standing with those on the margins. Re’s mention of Francis’ calls for peace during times of war even drew spontaneous applause from the mourners.
When it came time for the final blessing, the crowd prayed the Litany of Saints together in Latin, asking the angels to lead Pope Francis home. The “In Paradisum” was sung — a beautiful tradition asking for the saints to welcome the soul into paradise.
Fittingly, Pope Francis won’t be buried in the Vatican grottoes like most popes. In keeping with his wishes, his body will be taken in a simple procession to the Basilica of St. Mary Major — a church he visited over 100 times during his life. There, he’ll rest under a modest tomb, marked only by the word: Franciscus.
Remembering the Life of Pope Francis
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis became a Jesuit at 21, then a priest, then a bishop, and finally a cardinal. When he was elected pope in 2013 at age 76, he made history — the first Jesuit, the first from the Americas, and the first to take the name Francis, after the saint devoted to peace, the poor, and nature.
Throughout his 12 years as pope, Francis became known for his focus on mercy, care for creation, and outreach to the “peripheries” — to the people so often forgotten by society. He canonized more saints than any pope before him, published four major encyclicals, and traveled to nearly every corner of the world (though he never did return to Argentina).
In his final years, Francis faced serious health struggles, but he continued working tirelessly — speaking out against war, leading the Church through the pandemic, and pushing for major reforms.
As the Church now enters its traditional nine-day mourning period, Cardinal Re summed up what many were feeling. He recalled how Pope Francis always ended his speeches asking, “Please, don’t forget to pray for me.”
Now, the Cardinal said, “Dear Pope Francis, we now ask you to pray for us.”
From the balconies of heaven, surely, Francis smiles — still holding high the torch of hope he carried so faithfully on Earth.
Apr 26, 2025
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