Pope Francis was laid to rest on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. He passed away at 88 years old on April 21.
More than 250,000 people gathered at St. Peter’s Square to say goodbye to the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The crowd included world leaders and many young people, offering a powerful snapshot of today’s global moment.
Here are the key highlights from the historic event:
A “Pope Among the People”
During the funeral, Pope Francis was honored as a leader of “strength and serenity.” Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, delivered the homily before a massive crowd.
“He established direct contact with individuals and peoples, eager to be close to everyone,” BaTTISTA said. “He gave himself without measure, especially to the marginalized and the least among us.”
Battista described Francis as a pope with an open heart, attentive to the signs of the times and to what the Holy Spirit was awakening within the Church.
Youth Play a Key Role at the Funeral
Thousands of young people gathered in St. Peter’s Square to mourn Pope Francis. His connection with youth was evident, especially during the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year of 2025.
Around 80,000 teenagers had registered for the Jubilee of Teenagers, a special event for Catholics aged 12 to 17. Due to Francis’ passing, some changes were made, including the postponement of the canonization of Carlo Acutis — a 15-year-old Italian teen who will become the first “millennial” saint.
Applause as Coffin Leaves the Basilica
As pallbearers carried Pope Francis’ coffin outside, the gathered mourners erupted into applause. This same location had seen his final public appearance when he celebrated Easter Sunday, just a day before his death.
American Journalist Reads Scripture
Young adults were given important roles in the funeral. Kielce Gussie, a 28-year-old American journalist from Vatican News, read the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles in English.
Gussie holds a theology degree from Mount St. Mary’s University and a licentiate in church communication from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Earns Crowd’s Applause
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, attended the funeral. The crowd applauded when Zelenskyy appeared on the big screens.
Before the funeral, President Donald Trump met privately with Zelenskyy. According to White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, the meeting was described as a “very productive session.”
First Lady Melania Trump, former President Joe Biden, and former First Lady Jill Biden were also present, seated a few rows behind the Trumps.
Book of Gospels Blows in the Wind
One of the most emotional moments came when the Book of the Gospels, resting atop the pope’s coffin, blew open in the breeze.
The pages revealed the reading, “In the Passion and death of the Lord,” creating a profound and touching scene.
Mauro Scrobogna/LaPresse via AP
Final Bells for Pope Francis
As the coffin entered St. Peter’s Basilica for the final time, the bells of the Vatican tolled solemnly. After the funeral, which lasted over two hours, the pope’s body was moved to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for burial.
Mourners Line the Streets of Rome
The funeral procession traveled four miles from St. Peter’s Basilica to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Tens of thousands of mourners lined the streets, many crying and applauding as the white pickup truck carrying Francis’ coffin passed by Rome’s famous landmarks like the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.
Upon reaching the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Pope Francis was seen publicly for the last time. The basilica is scheduled to reopen to visitors on Sunday.
Keep up with news as they emerge from the Vatican City with us on Que Onda Magazine.