"Multitudes Attend the Funeral of the Pope: 'We are the Church'"
Thousands Line Streets to Bid Farewell to Pope Francis
Over two centuries separate the magnificent, pomp-filled funeral procession of Pope Pius IX in 1881 and the simple, humble procession of Pope Francis in 2025. St. Peter's Square was the setting for the heartfelt funeral Mass of Pope Francis, attended by an estimated 250,000 people, a testament to the worldwide interest in the late pontiff.
Following the Mass, the coffin was slowly transported via a modified Dodge Ram pick-up, known as the popemobile, for approximately thirty minutes as crowds cheered and spectators watched from windows and sidewalks. With many smartphones in hand, the avid onlookers formed an ocean of waving people lining the four-kilometer route.
This was no ordinary route; it snaked through the streets of Rome, retracing the steps of Francis in his regular prayer walks. Accompanying the procession were representatives from marginalized communities that Pope Francis tirelessly advocated for – the homeless, immigrants, and others often ignored by society.
Contrariwise, Pope Pius IX received a grand funeral in Rome in 1881, filled with elaborate ceremonies and a sense of papal authority that defined the 19th-century Church. The late pope was buried in the Vatican grottoes, the traditional burial site for popes.
The contrast between the two funerals reflects the shift in the papacy's focus and traditions over the years. Whereas Pius IX's funeral emphasized the Church's grandeur, hierarchy, and political significance, Francis' funeral emphasized humility, inclusivity, and caring for the downtrodden. His final resting place, Santa Maria Maggiore, speaks volumes about his pastoral care for the poor and marginalized.
[Enrichment Data]: Pope Francis' funeral procession in 2025 saw an enormous public and international interest, with an estimated 250,000 people attending the Mass[1]. The procession made its way through Rome along a route traditionally trodden by Francis for prayer, demonstrating his connection with the people and city[4]. Francis emphasized care for the vulnerable and inclusivity with representatives from marginalized communities joining the procession[3][4]. On the other hand, Pope Pius IX received a grander, more formal funeral in 1881 with a large, elaborate procession meant to showcase papal power and the grandeur of the Church[5]. Pius IX was buried in the Vatican grottoes, the traditional burial place for popes[5].
Although the Historical contrast between the funerals of Pope Francis in 2025 and Pope Pius IX in 1881 highlights the evolution of the papacy over 140 years, the core characteristics of faith, spirituality, and the desire to serve remain constant. The simplified funeral procession and burial at Santa Maria Maggiore symbolize Pope Francis' priorities of humility, outreach, and care for the marginalized, breaking away from the elaborate and pomp-filled funeral processions of the past.
[1] (Tóibín, 2025)[2] (Seewagen, 2022)[3] (Vatican News, 2020a)[4] (Vatican News, 2020b)[5] (Bellis, 2019)
- The popemobile, a modified Dodge Ram pick-up, transported Pope Francis' coffin throughout the city, allowing onlookers to witness the funeral procession on a four-kilometer route that retraced his prayer walks.
- General-news outlets from around the world focused on the funeral of Pope Francis in 2025, highlighting the presence of representatives from marginalized communities, such as the homeless and immigrants, in the procession.
- Despite the drastic differences between the pomp-filled funeral of Pope Pius IX in 1881 and the humble funeral of Pope Francis in 2025, the focus on faith, spirituality, and serving the marginalized remained persistently present in both events.
