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Pope Francis Laid to Rest as Over 250,000 Mourners Gather at Vatican

Published

3 weeks ago

Apr 26, 2025.

Pope Francis laid to rest after funeral attended by 250,000 mourners.
World leaders, monarchs pay respects as conclave preparations begin.
Global tributes reflect Pope Francis’ legacy of humility and service.

Pope Francis was laid to rest on Saturday following a grand funeral service attended by more than 250,000 mourners at the Vatican, marking the final farewell to the “people’s pope” celebrated for his humanity and humility.

The pontiff, who was entombed at Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, was honored during a solemn, two-hour mass conducted by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re at St. Peter’s Square.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Battista Re praised Pope Francis’ leadership style, highlighting his “open heart toward everyone” and enduring commitment to compassion and inclusivity.

The funeral service, though described as “simplified,” was rich with tradition and symbolism. It drew over 100 international delegations, including world leaders and reigning monarchs, paying their final respects. It comes six days after Pope Francis, the first Latin American to lead the Catholic Church, made his last public appearance during the Easter celebrations.

In a significant development before the funeral, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump held a brief but high-stakes meeting inside St. Peter’s Basilica, as Washington intensifies efforts to broker an end to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

With the funeral concluded, attention now turns to the forthcoming conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor. The conclave, expected to commence between 15 and 20 days after the Pope’s passing, is anticipated in early May.

The College of Cardinals — comprising 135 members under the age of 80 — will gather in the Sistine Chapel to select the new leader through a secret ballot requiring a two-thirds majority. Given Pope Francis’ wide-reaching reforms, the race is seen as wide open, with candidates representing the Church’s diverse global footprint.

Meanwhile, tributes to Pope Francis have poured in from around the world. In India, nuns dressed in white and blue gathered at the Cathedral of The Most Holy Rosary in Kolkata to honor his memory. In London, worshipers held multiple Masses at Westminster Cathedral, while in the Philippines, children offered white flowers during special services.

“He was one of the best popes I’ve ever seen. He was very kind and always looked after the poor and marginalized,” said Nesta Munyoro, a 61-year-old nurse from Zimbabwe who attended a memorial Mass at Westminster Cathedral. “He didn’t come for the good ones; he came for the ones who are lost. I wish I could be like him.”

Aerial images captured emotional scenes worldwide, from candlelit vigils in East Timor to groups watching the funeral broadcast in public spaces across Europe.

The passing of Pope Francis leaves a profound void in the hearts of 1.4 billion Catholics around the globe, with his legacy of compassion, reform, and outreach set to shape the future of the Church for generations to come.