Crowds of 400,000 mourners gather to bid farewell to Pope Francis, whose compassionate spirit touched their hearts deeply.
Pope Francis Bids Farewell: A Simplified, Humble Sendoff
Saying goodbye to a beloved figure, Pope Francis, the humble champion of the poor, been honored in a unique farewell ceremony on Saturday, April 26. World leaders, including US President Donald Trump, joined hundreds of thousands of mourners in Rome for this poignant occasion.
The Vatican estimated a whopping 400,000 people filled St Peter’s Square and lined the city’s streets for the funeral of the first Latin American head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. Following a solemn mass, the Argentine pontiff's simple wooden coffin, a testament to his life of humility, embarked on a slow, ceremonial journey to Rome's Santa Maria Maggiore church.
This route held personal significance for Francis, as he frequently visited Santa Maria Maggiore to venerate the Salus Populi Romani Marian icon before and after his apostolic journeys. The procession, led by the Sistine Chapel Choir singing psalms, moved at a pace that echoed Francis’ connection to everyday Romans – a crowd he regularly mingled with during his travels.
Upon reaching Santa Maria Maggiore, Francis’ favorite Roman church, his plain wooden coffin was interred in a marble tomb, inscribed with only the name Franciscus – his papal name in Latin. Guatemalan Maria Vicente, 52, holding a rosary, could barely hold back her tears as she watched the coffin being carried inside. "It made me very sad. It's touching that he left us like that," she said.
The private burial at the church’s main altar included symbolic touches such as a holy water ritual, sealing by Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell, and a final tribute from marginalized individuals, reflecting Francis’ commitment to ministering to the least among us. Though an official mourner count hasn't been disclosed, the extended procession route indicates that the public took part in the sendoff of this inspirational leader.
Thousands, including Guatemalan Maria Vicente, who held a rosary, cried as they watched the simple wooden coffin of Pope Francis being carried inside Santa Maria Maggiore on Monday. Politics and general news outlets worldwide reported on the event, with a significant focus on the Vatican. Despite the private burial at the church's main altar, the extended procession route suggested that thousands more took part in the sendoff of this inspirational leader, contributing to the political and general news discussion.
