Watch: A key moment from Pope Francis’ funeral
Pope Francis was buried in Rome after funerals and processions attended by hundreds of thousands of people and many heads of state.
The first South American bishop passed away on Monday, age 88, marking the end of the 12-year-old Pope.
When the Italian capital woke up on a shady morning, teenage pilgrims, nuns and priests of all denominations quietly submitted their way to the Vatican.
Many of the streets around St. Peter’s Basilica have been closed – as it was expected that more than 100 foreign officials would attend funeral masses, allowing for a flow of visitors and for security reasons.
Over 8,000 Italian police from various branches have now been enabled for firefighters, medics, dog unit handlers, volunteers, military members and even park guards.
Many were called from all sides of Italy to be in Rome today. The result is a rather fun blend of accents from all over the country, from Sicily to Milanese.
By 8:00, most of the square was already full.
Jessica, 22 and Mexican native, and Cyril, 20, arrived at dawn to secure a front row spot for the funeral mass.
“We didn’t expect to be this close, we sacrificed a bit of sleep to be here, but it’s worth it,” Jessica said.
She is a Catholic and a Mexican relative told them she was in the Vatican for the Pope’s funeral, “I never believe it.”
Laura Gozzi/BBC
Jessica and Cyril waited for hours to secure a good spot at the funeral mass.
As the head of state and senior foreign officials took the place to the right of the altar, hundreds of photographers from the press on the roof of the Coronade were furiously snapping cameras, hoping to capture the candid image of President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Voldy Zelensky, whose final meeting in February sparked a fight exchange at spawning offices.
However, it was soon revealed that they had met for about 15 minutes before service began as impressive photos of the two men sitting in two chairs inside St. Peter began to circulate.
Zelensky then said the meeting “crowded results could have been historic.”
No further details were shared, but some social media later joked that, given the setting, the meeting was a “miracle.”
The photo shows that British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer, Trump, Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron also met at the Vatican.
Andriy Yermak/Telegram
Andri Yahmack, head of Zelensky’s office, shared images of the two presidents in depth in conversation
From the bright red of the clergy’s customs to the calm gray and blue of the nun’s veil, to the rainbow sun hat worn by pilgrims, St. Peter’s Square in the morning was a riot of colours that glowed under the sun.
Hymns unfolded on giant speakers, sometimes owned by the sound of helicopters flying overhead.
However, the voice of 91-year-old Giovanni Batista’s cardinal squealed loudly and clearly as he hosted the Mass.
The structure of the service was very similar to that of the Catholic funeral mass, but the measurements were made in many different languages, and all hymns were sung in Latin.
Outside St. Peters, the Vatican later said the crowd of people in the crowd had been praised as Zelensky would take his seat. There was also applause when the Pope’s simple wooden ffin was brought out.
Crowds marked several other notable moments, such as when Cardinals remembered the Pope’s commitment to immigration and peace, as part of his Homily.
EPA
Clergy and a large crowd attended the funeral mass
He said the Pope’s first trip was to Italy’s Lampedusa Island, where he arrives in Europe for many migrants who travel dangerously across the Mediterranean, reminiscent of the Pope celebrated on the US-Mexican border.
“War brings deaths of people and the destruction of homes, hospitals and schools. War always makes the world worse than before. It’s always a painful and tragic defeat for everyone.”
The Cardinal emphasized that Pope Francis repeatedly urged the world to “build bridges, not walls.”
“I’m glad I heard that on the day so many heads of state were in St. Peter Square,” a woman called Maria told the BBC. She and her friend Grazia had jumped in from Sardinia, especially for the funeral.
“I think that was a message specifically for them, because it’s not us, but they decide whether there’s war or peace or not.
“If not, it would have been pure hypocrisy for them to be here,” Grazia added.
During communion, a procession of white-covered priests descended St. Peter’s Square and carried a golden chalice full of wafers for communion.
Soon after that, the cardinal blessed the Pope cousin with holy water. The cathedral bell was then enabled three times after the blessing of ffin was performed before the incense was burned with the aroma, a symbol of purification.
Reuters
During funeral mass, Cardinal Giovanni Batista congratulated Pope Francis’ co-
After a bit of mixing, the world leaders began to escape the cathedral. Their cars then filed from the Vatican.
Within an hour, it was reported that Trump had returned to Air Force 1, and other leaders held various informal meetings in Rome.
Meanwhile, the Pope’s co-passed through Rome in a slow procession to the Church of Santa Maria Magiaore for burial.
Authorities said 140,000 lines of the streets, with the applause and waving of the Spirit Hearse, reused white popemovies – crossed the Tibere River and passed some of Rome’s most famous sights.
When ffin arrived at Santa Maria Maggiore, it was filmed inside and the live broadcast was stopped.
Pope Francis was buried at about 3pm on the right side of the church near the beloved icon of the Virgin Mary.
People line up the streets as “popemovies” carry Francis’ co-through Rome
Visitors, pilgrims and clergy quickly opened St. Peter’s Square. A few minutes later, many people were able to see it at numerous cafes, restaurants and pizzerias in the nearby historic Borgopio area.
Grazia, Sardinia, said the funeral made a big impression on her.
“It was great to meet people from every corner of the world and live in a shared moment in one square. This is the Pope’s legacy,” she said.
Authorities said the day unfolded without any major incidents.
“400,000 people shared historical and emotional moments, and thanks to everyone’s commitment, the day happened in a strict, calm way.
Catholics from the city of Rome and around the world are preparing for the next important event: the Conclave. This selects the next Pope:
No dates have been set yet, but are expected to start on May 5 or 6.
With 135 Cardinals expected to be present, it is the largest conclave in modern history and one of the most unpredictable conclaves.
For the past few days, the Cardinals wandering around Rome have been bothered by journalists trying to pilot what the Conclave could produce.
After the funeral, the cardinal of the Tonga Soan Patita Payne Maffi was approached by the media when he left St. Peter’s Square.
After the pope of South America, is he Asian time? He was asked.
The Mafi Cardinal laughed and pointed to the sky. “Only he knows,” he said.
