On April 24, 2025, mourners lined up for hours at St. Peter's Basilica to pay their respects to the body of Pope Francis ahead of his funeral, scheduled for April 26, 2025. The outpouring of grief began on April 23, when the Vatican opened its doors for public viewing, allowing visitors to pay homage to the beloved Pontiff who passed away on April 21, 2025.
As the sun rose on April 24, the basilica reopened at 7 a.m., and a steady stream of visitors arrived to honor the Pope. Among them was a Catholic couple from New Jersey, who shared their experience after waiting for three and a half hours in line. "We stood for 3 and a half hours, our feet hurt, and we were exhausted. But meeting the Pope filled us with spiritual happiness, even amidst the fatigue," they said.
Another mourner from Rome expressed the profound impact the Pope had on his life, stating, "He was a wonderful Pope. It feels like I lost a part of myself; it's going to be very lonely without him." By 7 p.m. on April 24, Vatican authorities reported that over 90,000 people had visited the basilica to pay their respects.
On April 25, the Vatican announced that approximately 250,000 people had visited St. Peter's Basilica over the three-day mourning period, surpassing the nearly 195,000 mourners who paid their respects to Pope Benedict XVI in 2022. The general viewing ended on this day, as heads of state and royalty began arriving for the funeral. Among the last mourners to visit the basilica was French President Emmanuel Macron.
As preparations for the funeral ramped up, St. Peter's Square was set to be unsealed at 5:30 a.m. local time on April 26, with around 200,000 people expected to attend. The funeral would see over 130 heads of state and royalty in attendance, including former U.S. President Donald Trump and Prince William of the United Kingdom. The Italian and Vatican authorities implemented strict security measures, including prohibiting drone flights, positioning snipers on rooftops, and having fighter jets on standby. Checkpoints were increased on the night of April 25 to ensure safety.
On the morning of April 26, the funeral for Pope Francis commenced in St. Peter's Square. Approximately 50 heads of state and 160 diplomatic delegations were present. According to the Italian Ministry of Interior, around 250,000 people gathered to bid farewell to the Pope. Notable attendees included Donald Trump, UK leaders, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Japan's Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa also represented his country at the solemn event.
At around 10 a.m. local time, the coffin containing Pope Francis's remains was placed at the front entrance of St. Peter's Basilica, where the funeral service lasted for about two hours. After the service, the coffin was transported to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in central Rome for burial. This burial outside Vatican City is considered unusual, as most past Popes have been interred within St. Peter's Basilica.
Pope Francis, who became the first Latin American Pope in 2013, served for 12 years, during which he advocated for church reforms and addressed pressing global issues such as nuclear disarmament and poverty. His leadership resonated with over one billion Catholics worldwide, making his passing a significant moment in the history of the Catholic Church.
As the world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, his legacy of compassion, reform, and outreach will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations. His commitment to social justice and interfaith dialogue has left an indelible mark on the Church and the global community.
