Sat Apr 26 10:07:20 UTC 2025: ## World Mourns Pope Francis at Grand Funeral
**Vatican City, April 26, 2025** – Hundreds of thousands of mourners, including world leaders and dignitaries, gathered in St. Peter’s Square today to bid farewell to Pope Francis at a moving funeral Mass. The ceremony, reflecting the late Pope’s emphasis on humility and service, saw a blend of solemnity and festive spirit, with attendees taking selfies amidst hymns even as they mourned.
President Donald Trump, alongside other global leaders including President Emmanuel Macron, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Prince William, were among the 160 official delegations present. Despite the presence of powerful figures, the funeral underscored Pope Francis’ dedication to the marginalized, with prisoners and migrants invited to the basilica where he will be laid to rest.
The Pope, who died on Easter Monday at age 88, had personally orchestrated the simple funeral rites, reflecting his 12-year mission to reform the papacy and emphasize the role of priests as servants of the poor. His coffin, containing a simple decree outlining his life and chosen name – a homage to St. Francis of Assisi – was carried through the streets of Rome in a Popemobile.
Pope Francis’ body had lain in state for three days prior to the funeral, drawing over 250,000 visitors to St. Peter’s Basilica. Despite the Vatican’s efforts, many were turned away due to overwhelming numbers.
The Pope will be interred in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, a location chosen for its symbolic significance to the Jesuit order and Pope Francis’ personal devotion. A 4-kilometer procession, expected to draw 300,000 mourners, will transport the coffin to its final resting place.
The conclave to elect his successor is expected to begin in the first week of May, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re overseeing the interim period. The funeral marked a poignant end to the papacy of the first Latin American and Jesuit Pope, leaving behind a legacy focused on social justice and humility.
First Piper 