See photos of Pope Francis’ funeral and procession as pontiff is laid to rest

The funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday drew a crowd to St. Peter’s Sq. that included kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers, cardinals and archbishops, in addition to hundreds of devoted followers touched by his dedication to the poor, his protection of the world’s migrants, and his outreach to these lengthy marginalized by the church. 

Although the famously humble pontiff requested simplicity in his wood coffin and final resting place, the funeral Mass nonetheless mirrored the grandeur and traditions of the Vatican. See photographs under of a number of the highlights of the day honoring the chief often called “the People’s Pope.”

Crowd fills St. Peter’s Sq. for Pope Francis’ funeral

An estimated 250,000 folks attended the funeral service outdoors St. Peter’s Basilica on the Vatican.

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Pope Francis

Church regalia on show

President Trump and world leaders in attendance

The Vatican stated delegations from about 130 international locations would attend the ceremony, together with about 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs. President Trump and first girl Melania Trump have been there, and former President Joe Biden additionally attended. Earlier than the funeral, Mr. Trump met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Prayers from the devoted for Pope Francis

Funeral Mass and homily honoring “a pope among the many folks”

The Mass was led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old dean of the College of Cardinals, who additionally delivered a extremely private homily.

“He was a pope among the many folks, with an open coronary heart in direction of everybody,” Re stated of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88. “The guiding thread of his mission was additionally the conviction that the church is a house for all, a house with its doorways all the time open.”

Crowds pay their final respects to Pope Francis

After the funeral Mass, the coffin of Pope Francis was taken in a procession aboard the popemobile by way of the streets of Rome to his ultimate resting place, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Main). In his last will and testament, Francis requested to be buried in that fifth-century church devoted to the Virgin Mary, the place he went to hope earlier than and after his overseas travels as pontiff.

“Grazie Papa Francisco!”