Vatican City: Tens of thousands of mourners have filled St Peter’s Square to bid farewell to Pope Francis, the beloved champion of the poor and the Catholic Church’s first Latin American leader.
Some had waited overnight to secure their places at the ceremony, which drew more than 50 world leaders. The Argentinian pontiff, who passed away at the age of 88, spent his 12-year papacy pushing the centuries-old institution toward greater inclusivity.
Over 250,000 people visited St Peter’s Basilica during the three days of lying in state, with many more arriving at dawn to follow his final mass. Andrea Ugalde, 39, who travelled from Los Angeles to honour Francis stated that, “He was not just the pope, he was what the definition of being human is.”
Pope Francis’ coffin arrives in St Peter’s Square pic.twitter.com/u1OW73yVR5
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 26, 2025
Security measures surrounding the funeral are extensive, with a no-fly zone enforced over the Vatican, fighter jets on standby, and snipers positioned on rooftops. Italian and Vatican authorities coordinated the massive operation to guarantee the safety of attendees.
Gabriela Lazo, 41, from Peru stated that, “We spent the whole night here in the car with the children. We are very sorry for what happened to him because we hold a South American pope in our hearts.”
The funeral marks the beginning of nine days of official mourning within the Vatican. Following this period, cardinals will convene for the conclave to elect a new pope to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Pope Francis, Latin American leader of the Catholic Church and a tireless advocate for the poor, sparking an outpouring of grief across the world.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis made history in 2013 when he became the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to ascend to the papacy. Throughout his 12-year leadership, he was known for his calls for a ‘Church of the poor,’ his efforts to reform Vatican bureaucracy, and his emphasis on mercy, compassion, and inclusion.
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