Greater than 250,000 worshipers, spiritual and political figures lined St. Peter’s Sq., within the Vatican, on Saturday to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis, who died earlier this week on the age of 88.
The service began at St. Peter’s Basilica shortly after 10 a.m. native time (4 a.m. ET), lasting simply over two hours.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, probably the most senior figures within the Catholic Church, led the simplified ceremony, in a sequence of rituals of non secular hymns, an emotional homily and a closing farewell to the pope, who was the primary Latin American pontiff.
Francis’ modest coffin was then transported within the white popemobile over the River Tiber to be entombed in Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore – an illuminated basilica that sits atop the very best level within the Italian capital.
Right here’s how the day unfolded:
• Mourners and world leaders assemble: The pope’s funeral noticed one of many largest gatherings of world leaders in recent years. A complete of 130 delegations, together with presidents and reigning monarchs, had been in attendance. Argentine President Javier Milei, Britain’s Prince William, European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen, US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky had been among the many most high-profile friends.
• Trump and Zelensky summit: The US and Ukrainian leaders met minutes before the funeral began Saturday, talking face-to-face on two chairs that had been arrange contained in the St. Peter’s Basilica. A White Home spokesman accompanying Trump mentioned that the 2 leaders “had a really productive dialogue.” A spokesman for Zelensky mentioned the assembly lasted for about quarter-hour, and the leaders agreed to proceed talks. The Ukrainian chief additionally held sideline conferences with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
• Excessive safety: Authorities in Rome ramped up safety measures forward of the service, deploying greater than 2,000 cops, sharpshooters and specialist forces. An extra 400 site visitors officers had been on shift, the town’s police division advised CNN.
• ‘Pope among the many individuals:’ The 91-year-old Re eulogized the late pontiff’s “deeply delicate” management, in a poignant sermon learn out on the footsteps of St. Peter’s Basilica. “Confronted with the raging wars of latest years, with their inhuman horrors and numerous deaths and destruction, Pope Francis incessantly raised his voice imploring peace,” mentioned Re. The late pontiff insistently advocated for communities in war-ravaged areas till his final days, together with in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and South Sudan.
• Younger worshipers pay respects: An array of mourners, together with streams of younger individuals and pilgrims from Indonesia, the US, the Philippines and France, pitched up at St. Peter’s Sq. in a single day – a testomony to Pope Francis’ wide appeal. A few of his most liberal supporters imagine he was not reformist enough, however others say he has carved a progressive legacy in his wake, having remodeled the Catholic Church for its 1.4 billion followers.
