A massive mass and emotional farewell gestures marked the funeral of Pope Francis, held this Saturday in the Vatican, reflecting his wish to be remembered as a humble shepherd close to the marginalized. Although presidents and princes were among the attendees, it was prisoners, migrants, and homeless individuals who played a central role in the final tribute to the pontiff.
According to official figures from the Vatican, around 250,000 people participated in the funeral mass in St. Peter’s Square, while another 150,000 crowded along the route of the funeral procession through the center of Rome. The attendees cheered and chanted “Pope Francis!” as the simple wooden coffin was carried in a modified popemobile to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, six kilometers away.
Upon arriving at the basilica, the bells rang as the coffin advanced between rows of migrants, prisoners, and homeless people holding white roses. Inside, the coffin was placed in front of the icon of the Virgin Mary, an image especially revered by Francis. Four children offered the roses at the altar before the cardinals proceeded with the burial ritual in a nearby crypt.
A father close to the people
Francis himself had arranged the details of his funeral, reviewing Vatican rituals to emphasize his vision of a serving pope, distanced from symbols of power.
On Saturday, thousands of faithful rushed to find a spot in St. Peter’s Square. Giant screens allowed those who were left outside to follow the mass. A comprehensive security system, with over 2,500 police officers, 1,500 soldiers, and maritime patrols, ensured order throughout the day.
During the ceremony at the Vatican, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, highlighted the accessible and compassionate character of Francis, the first Latin American pope in history. In a personal homily, he emphasized his ability to reach “the youngest” through a simple and direct style.
“He was a pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone,” said Re, generating applause among those present as he recalled Pope Francis’s strong commitment to the cause of migrants. The cardinal also emphasized that the pontiff promoted the idea of an open and inclusive Church, visiting the most remote peripheries of the world on his trips.
Despite its focus on the underprivileged, the funeral brought together prominent figures from politics and international diplomacy. Attending were US President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, among others.
Prince William and several members of European royal families were also present. From Argentina, President Javier Milei participated in the event, despite not having a good relationship with the pope.
A deep connection with Santa Maria Maggiore
The choice of Santa Maria Maggiore for his burial responds to Francis special devotion to the basilica and its iconic Byzantine portrait of the Virgin, the Salus Populi Romani, before which he used to pray before and after each pastoral trip.
The vehicle that transported his coffin had been built for his visit to the Philippines in 2015, adapted for the occasion.
The basilica also holds special significance for the Jesuit order, as it is where St. Ignatius of Loyola celebrated his first mass in 1538. While several popes are buried in the basilica, this was the first time in over a century that a pontiff was buried outside of the Vatican.