Press Article: Historic Farewell for Pope Francis in Vatican City
Vatican City witnessed a monumental gathering as over 250,000 mourners, including prominent religious and political figures, convened in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday to honor the memory of Pope Francis, who passed away at 88 earlier this week.
The funeral service commenced shortly after 10 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Basilica, lasting just over two hours. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, a senior figure in the Catholic Church, led the ceremony, which featured heartfelt hymns, an emotional homily, and a final farewell to the first Latin American pope.
Following the service, the late pope’s modest coffin was transported in a white popemobile across the River Tiber to its final resting place at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, a site renowned for its breathtaking architecture.
The event drew an unprecedented number of world leaders, with 130 delegations in attendance, including Argentine President Javier Milei and US President Donald Trump, who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky just minutes before the ceremony. Reports indicated their discussion was productive, with promises of continued dialogue between the US and Ukraine.
Security was notably heightened, with more than 2,000 police officers and additional traffic units deployed across Rome to ensure safety during the significant event.
In a poignant eulogy, Cardinal Re reflected on Pope Francis’ sensitive leadership and his unwavering advocacy for peace in conflict-stricken areas such as Gaza and Ukraine, emphasizing the late pontiff’s legacy of compassion.
Throngs of young worshipers, including pilgrims from Indonesia, the US, and the Philippines, also gathered to pay their respects, showcasing Francis’ broad appeal. While some criticized him for not being reformist enough, many agree he has left a transformative mark on the Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion believers.
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