A Global Farewell: Half a Million Gather for Pope Francis’ Funeral in Vatican City

VATICAN CITY, Rome — More than 500,000 mourners gathered in and around St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, April 26, 2025, as the world bade farewell to Pope Francis, a pontiff revered for his advocacy for the poor, his critique of unbridled capitalism, and his urgent calls to protect the environment.

The funeral Mass, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, drew an estimated 160 foreign delegations, underscoring Francis’ global influence.

Among those in attendance were U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, Britain’s Prince William, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

As the service progressed, Cardinal Re offered the final commendation, entrusting Francis’ soul to God.

“We entrust our Holy Father Francis to the eternal embrace of the Almighty,” he said, invoking consolation for the global Catholic community still reeling from the loss.

Security around the Vatican was at its highest level, with thousands of police officers and special forces deployed across the area.

Aerial surveillance teams and an anti-drone military unit patrolled the skies, while checkpoints secured the key access routes to the basilica.

Over the preceding three days, more than 250,000 people had filed past the late pontiff’s coffin during the public lying-in-state at St. Peter’s Basilica, paying their last respects to a figure many saw as a moral compass in turbulent times.

During the Mass, a poignant moment unfolded when mourners were invited to exchange a sign of peace.

President Trump was seen shaking hands with President Macron and other world leaders seated nearby.

Although Trump and Zelenskyy were not seated together, the American president was surrounded by Ukraine’s allies, including Polish President Andrzej Duda.

Earlier, as President Zelenskyy made his way into St. Peter’s Square, he was greeted by a round of applause from many in the crowd, a notable gesture reported by NBC News’ Tom Llamas.

Beyond the square, the Via della Conciliazione, the broad avenue leading to the Vatican, was filled with tens of thousands more.

Among them was Like Lea Lenoci, 16, from Genoa, who had travelled with her classmates.

“We had already planned to come to Rome for the canonisation of Carlo Acutis,” she said.

“When that was postponed, we decided to come anyway and be here in this very important moment.”

Nearby, Christoph Hensel, a priest from Munich, had brought young parishioners to witness the historic day.

“It was a last-minute decision,” he explained.

“We wanted to be here and we left last night, arriving this morning at 7 a.m. Tonight we will sleep as guests of another parish here in Rome.”

Adding a surprising note to the day’s events, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was spotted among the mourners, further highlighting the breadth of those drawn to the funeral.

The communion rite followed the liturgy of the Eucharist, with the Catholic faithful partaking in what they believe to be the body of Christ.

With the funeral concluded, attention will now turn to the future of the Catholic Church.

Vatican officials are expected to announce shortly the schedule for the upcoming conclave, the ancient and secretive gathering during which the College of Cardinals will elect the next pope.

As the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica tolled solemnly across Rome, the world marked the end of a papacy defined by humility, compassion, and an unyielding commitment to the world’s most vulnerable.