Huge crowd gathers to mourn and witness burial of Pope Francis
The city of Rome was bustling over the weekend as hundreds of thousands of people gathered to witness the final journey of Pope Francis. Leaders and royals from around the globe joined the faithful in paying their respects to the late Pontiff.
With an estimated attendance of 400,000, the event was in high demand. Over 166 international delegations found their way to the parvis of St. Peter's Square, making this a truly global affair.
Here's a glimpse of the day's events through photos:
Among the distinguished guests were several heads of state, making this a perfect opportunity for some high-profile meetings. For instance, US President Donald Trump held a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the funeral ceremony.
Funeral Attendees
The presence of so many notable figures underscored the global influence of Pope Francis during his lifetime. Here are some of the important attendees:
Political Leaders– Donald Trump and Melania Trump attended, Trump confirming their presence via Truth Social.1[2]– Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, was also among the attendees.[1]– Javier Milei, Argentina’s president, took a front-row seat near Italian President Sergio Mattarella, reflecting Francis’ Argentine heritage.[3]– Daniel Noboa (Ecuador) and Alar Karis (Estonia) were also present.[1][3]
Royalty– Prince William, representing King Charles III, attended following a modern tradition to solidify his future role as monarch. His presence echoed King Charles' attendance at Pope John Paul II's funeral in 2005.[1][2]– King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain expressed their condolences.[1][3]
Other Dignitaries– JD Vance, US vice president, attended after meeting Francis shortly before the pope’s passing.[1]– Representatives from about 130 countries were present, with reserved seating for heads of state and monarchs in a section right of St. Peter’s Basilica’s altar.[3]
The funeral's simplicity, as per Francis' wishes, attracted approximately 250,000 mourners to Rome.[3]
Related Topics
- Conclave
- Pope Francis
- Rome
- Vatican
- US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, among other political leaders, attended Pope Francis' funeral, as estimated attendance soared to 400,000.
- The presence of Prince William, representing King Charles III, at the funeral reflected a modern tradition, echoing King Charles' attendance at Pope John Paul II's funeral in 2005.
- The funeral's simplicity, as per Pope Francis' wishes, provided shortcuts for the general-news headlines, as it attracted approximately 250,000 mourners to Rome.
