Pope Francis Laid to Rest in Vatican Ceremony with Global Leaders

Pope Francis has been laid to rest. At the ceremony in the Vatican, large parts of the world's elite were present – and hundreds of thousands of mourners from all corners of the world. He was a man of the people, who wanted everyone's well-being and fought for peace, says Nigerian Sunny Oritsegbubemi Okuku.

» Published: Sat 26 Apr 2025 09:35 CEST

The funeral was a huge event. The Vatican estimates that around 400,000 people bid farewell to Pope Francis on Saturday – in addition to the quarter of a million who had already filed past the coffin during the week.

Despite the crowds, there were moments of complete silence on St. Peter's Square, except for the cries of seagulls and the hum of drones.

The funeral ceremony began shortly after 10 am, when the wooden coffin was carried out onto St. Peter's Square to the waiting audience. During the ceremony, prayers and speeches were interspersed with echoing choral singing.

Giovanni Battista Re, the head of the Roman Catholic Church who led the ceremony, described Francis as "a pope among the people".

He had a heart open to all, he said in his eulogy.

Nun on a lightning visit

When Battista Re spoke about the Pope's many travels, the crowd erupted into spontaneous applause.

That we are so many gathered here to mourn says a lot about Pope Francis' great love, said the dean.

Sister Andra-Maria from Koblenz in Germany was in Rome on a lightning visit. She arrived on Friday and left directly after the funeral.

The Pope is Jesus' representative on earth. It felt important to come here and honor him, she said to TT's correspondent.

The fact that so many gathered on St. Peter's Square – despite the "Catholic Church's bad reputation" – has a significance, she believes.

I think many people are looking for something that can give them meaning and understanding for the future.

"A man of the people"

For Sunny Oritsegbubemi Okuku, from Nigeria but living in England, the day was emotional.

For me, the Pope meant a lot. He was a simple man, a man of the people, who wanted everyone well and fought for peace.

Many Catholics feel aversion towards homosexuals, but Pope Francis received them. He said: "We are all human beings, we are all God's creations – who am I to judge?"

One side of the podium was lined with cardinals in red and white robes. On the other side sat over 160 dignitaries from all corners of the world. Before the ceremony began, many of them, including USA's President Donald and Melania Trump, France's President Emmanuel Macron, and several royals, were present at the coffin.

Homeless and prisoners

But they didn't get to be there all the way, according to the Pope's own wish. To the final rest in the Roman Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Pope was accompanied by about 40 people: homeless, prisoners, migrants, and trans people who, each with a white rose, took a final farewell of the Pope before the coffin was carried into the church.

The focus on the poor and the most needy permeated Francis' time as Pope. He took his papal name after Saint Francis of Assisi, who, among other things, devoted himself to the care of lepers and the poor.

Here is a selection of the over 160 heads of state and government – in alphabetical order – who attended Saturday's funeral ceremony:

Argentina's President Javier Milei

Denmark's Queen Mary

Finland's President Alexander Stubb

UN Secretary-General António Guterres

France's President Emmanuel Macron

Israel's Vatican Ambassador Yaron Sideman

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella

Norway's Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, as well as Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide

Palestinian Authority's Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa

Russia's Culture Minister Olga Ljubimova

UK's Prince William and Prime Minister Keir Starmer