Hundreds of thousands of mourners and a host of world leaders gathered in Vatican City on Saturday for the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away earlier this week.
Over the course of three days, more than 250,000 individuals paid their respects at St. Peter’s Basilica. St. Peter’s Square was filled with an international assembly for the funeral service itself. Heads of state, royalty, religious representatives, and everyday citizens from across the globe were present, notably including many of the homeless, migrants, and incarcerated individuals for whom the Pope advocated passionately.
The funeral of the “People’s Pope,” as he was often called, presented a unique tableau: the world’s most powerful figures standing alongside some of its most disenfranchised. In a gesture reflecting Pope Francis’s commitment to those in prison, arrangements were made for inmates to attend the service, a reminder of his own tradition of ministering to prisoners, including his symbolic washing of their feet. His advocacy for the rights of migrants and refugees was also a defining aspect of his papacy.
Close by, some of the homeless individuals Pope Francis personally assisted watched the funeral broadcast from a former convent, which he had transformed into a hostel to provide them shelter.
Among the prominent figures in attendance were U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, and Prince William, representing the United Kingdom. Also present were Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
During his time as Pope, Francis sometimes found himself at odds with Donald Trump, particularly regarding immigration policies and the construction of border walls, with the Pope criticizing those who “build walls instead of bridges.” He found a more natural alignment with Brazil’s President Lula da Silva, as both leaders championed the causes of the poor and environmental protection. Pope Francis consistently voiced his support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, meeting with President Zelensky on several occasions and repeatedly calling for peace following Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Leaders from across Latin America, Europe, and other regions – including Poland’s President Andrzej Duda, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. – were also present to pay their respects. UN Secretary-General António Guterres joined the ranks of international dignitaries honoring the late Pope.
Dignitaries were seated in a formal arrangement near the Basilica, with sovereigns, heads of state, and representatives positioned alphabetically by country.
