Mass Gathering at Pope Francis' Funeral in St. Peter's Square
Funeral preparations underway: Pope Francis' casket enclosed within St. Peter's Basilica.
For a moving farewell, a crowd of a staggering 250,000 people flocked to St. Peter's Square on April 26, 2025, for the melancholic ceremony commemorating Pope Francis. The event, marked by the presence of world leaders, eminent clergy, and ardent devotees, served as a heartfelt tribute to the late pontiff [3].
As dusk approached the previous day, Pope Francis' coffin was ceremoniously sealed within St. Peter's Basilica, signaling the end of the three-day viewing period [2]. Thousands upon thousands of mourners braved the queues to catch a glimpse of the holy man, spurring the Vatican to extend the basilica's operating hours through the night and into the early hours of Thursday morning [2]. A brief closure was only required for cleaning before the deluge of visitors resumed. By Thursday evening, the Vatican confirmed that nearly 90,000 pilgrims had already paid their respects [2].
With Pope Francis being entombed, he was honored with a pair of his well-worn, scuffed black shoes, symbolizing his humble existence [1]. The honor of sealing the pontiff's coffin fell upon Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who played the role of camerlengo—the interim Vatican administrator—preceding the ceremony. Prior to the closure, a white cloth adorned Pope Francis' face, while a bag filled with coins minted during his papacy was added to the vessel, along with a one-page chronicle, known as a rogito, registering his life story from childhood to his rise through the ranks andfinal ascension to the papacy [1].
Summarizing his life and reign, the rogito underscored Pope Francis' "defense of the innocent," pivotal encyclicals, and health struggles [1]. In his time as archbishop, the revered leader traveled extensively, commuting even via subway and bus, and chose to live modestly, dining alone and residing in a flats to maintain everyday normality [1].
Some have wondered whether similar somber attendance numbers might be observed during future papal funerals, reflecting the profound impact Pope Francis had on his global flock [5].
Additional Reading
- Pope Francis laid to rest at a papal basilica in Rome
- St. Peter's Square closes to the public ahead of Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday
Sources:
[1] ABC News. (2025, April 25). Pope Francis' funeral to take place in St. Peter's Square. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://abcnews.go.com/[2] The Guardian. (2025, April 27). Pope Francis' funeral: 250,000 people attend ceremony in Rome. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://www.theguardian.com/[3] New York Times. (2025, April 26). Pope Francis Laid to Rest in a Papal Basilica in Rome. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/26/[4] Reuters. (2025, April 24). Rome readies tight security for Pope's funeral as elected leaders, clergy prepare for departure. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://www.reuters.com/[5] The Hill. (2025, April 27). Pope Francis' funeral draws tens of thousands of mourners in Rome. Retreived April 27, 2025, from https://thehill.com/[6] Vatican News. (2025, April 28). Pope at the Funeral of Pope Francis: "He was a good shepherd". Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news
- The rogito, a one-page chronicle summarizing Pope Francis' life, highlighted his dedication to "defense of the innocent," his influential encyclicals, and his health struggles.
- The sealing of Pope Francis' coffin was performed by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who served as the camerlengo, the interim Vatican administrator, preceding the ceremony.
- The funeral of Pope Francis on LinkedIn and other social media platforms showcased an outpouring of emotion, with many posts summarizing his impact on entertainment and social issues.
