A wave of solemn applause echoed through St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday as thousands of mourners gathered to honor Pope Francis. His casket, carried by 14 black-suited, white-gloved pallbearers, was gently lifted from his residence and brought across the square to the iconic St. Peter’s Basilica, where his body will lie in state until Friday evening.
The 88-year-old pontiff, known for his humility and steadfast support for the marginalized, is being remembered as a forceful spiritual leader who often clashed with the powerful during his papacy. This period of mourning gives the faithful an opportunity to pay their final respects.
“Dear brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow we now accompany the mortal remains of our Pope Francis to the Vatican Basilica,” said Cardinal Kevin Farrell, an Irish-American cardinal, during the ceremony held at the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta. “As we leave this home, let us thank the Lord for the countless gifts He bestowed on the Christian people through His servant, Pope Francis. Let us ask Him to grant our late Pope an eternal home in the kingdom of heaven, and to comfort the Church, the papal family, and all the faithful around the world.”
Over 20,000 people assembled in the square to witness the somber procession. Among them was Maria Pia Caruso, who traveled from northern Italy to honor a pope she believes made significant reforms to the global Catholic Church. “Let’s hope his successor continues this path of change, with no turning back,” she said.
The Vatican announced that the funeral Mass will be held on Saturday and presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. It will be attended by patriarchs, cardinals, bishops, archbishops, and priests from around the world. The Mass will mark the beginning of nine official days of mourning.
Pope Francis, the first non-European pontiff in over 1,300 years and a native of Argentina, expressed his wish to be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, rather than in St. Peter’s Basilica where many of his predecessors rest.
World leaders are expected to attend the funeral. U.S. President Donald Trump will fly in from Washington, D.C. on Friday and return on Saturday. Representing King Charles, Prince William will be in attendance, alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The United Nations confirmed Secretary-General António Guterres will attend.
Other global leaders expected include Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he would not attend and has not yet named a representative. China’s Foreign Ministry said it had no information regarding Chinese representation
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