Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Americas and one of the most influential religious figures of the 21st century, was laid to rest on Saturday following a solemn and deeply moving funeral Mass at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
Tens of thousands of mourners, including world leaders, religious figures, and ordinary faithful, gathered under grey Roman skies to bid farewell to the 88-year-old pope, who passed away earlier this week after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis led the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years, a papacy marked by bold reforms, compassion for the marginalized, and a steady focus on social justice and environmental stewardship.
The funeral rites, led by senior Vatican officials, lasted several hours and were steeped in centuries-old tradition. Bells tolled and incense filled the air as the coffin — adorned with a simple cross and the papal seal — was carried through St. Peter’s Square in a solemn procession.
In a powerful homily, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, paid tribute to Francis’ legacy of humility and courage. “He was a shepherd who walked with his flock, who listened with his heart, and who spoke boldly to a world in need of healing,” he said.
Following the Mass, Pope Francis was interred in a private ceremony at the Basilica of St Mary Major, a site of special devotion for the late pope, who often visited the basilica to pray before and after international journeys.
The Vatican confirmed that his burial followed his personal wishes for a modest and prayerful farewell.
Pope Francis made history in 2013 when he became the first Jesuit pope, the first from Latin America, and the first to take the name “Francis,” in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi — a symbol of humility and care for the poor. His papacy broke with many Vatican conventions, promoting openness, interfaith dialogue, and a greater role for laypeople and women in the Church.
Despite facing internal resistance and navigating scandal and global crises, Pope Francis remained a tireless advocate for peace, migrants, climate action, and economic justice. His encyclicals, such as Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti, are considered landmark teachings of modern Catholicism.
Mourning has poured in from every corner of the world. From Buenos Aires to Manila, Nairobi to New York, Catholics and non-Catholics alike have paid tribute to a pope who sought to bring the Church closer to the people.
As the bells of Rome echoed one final time in his honor, Pope Francis was remembered not just as the head of a global church, but as a humble servant who dared to challenge the status quo in pursuit of compassion and justice.
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