International Funeral Mass for Pope Francis begins in St. Peter's Square
The funeral mass for the late Pope Francis has begun in Rome in the presence of state guests from all over the world. Accompanied by Latin chants, the coffin with the body was carried from St. Peter's Basilica to St. Peter's Square and placed in front of the large altar.
26.04.2025, 10:37
SDA
In addition to prominent politicians, monarchs, more than 200 cardinals and over 4,000 other clergy, around 140,000 people gathered in the forecourt of the mighty basilica and in the surrounding streets. They came to bid farewell to the pontiff, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. The first people were allowed onto St. Peter's Square at around 5.30 am.
State of emergency in Rome
The funeral mass was presided over by the Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. The 91-year-old is the dean of the College of Cardinals and already presided over the funeral service for Francis' predecessor Benedict XVI in January 2023.
The service and the associated arrival of more than 160 delegations caused a state of emergency in Rome. Extreme security precautions were in place, partly because of US President Donald Trump, who landed at Fiumicino Airport with his wife Melania on Air Force One late on Friday evening. A number of roads were closed in the Italian capital. Around 10,000 emergency services were deployed to ensure the smooth running of the major event.
Top politicians pay their last respects - Selenskyj still there
The many guests of state took their seats to the side of the altar. President Javier Milei from Francis' home country Argentina sat at the very front. Next to him were the Italians with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. From Germany, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Acting Chancellor Olaf Scholz were among those in attendance.
Contrary to his own suggestion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky also came. He had said that he might not be able to make it to Rome when he visited a district of Kiev on Friday that had previously been heavily bombed by Russia.
Many international politicians will use the memorial service to speak to each other - at least briefly. This was announced by Trump, for example, even though he had no official appointments on his agenda. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday, among others. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron also came to Rome.
Massive security precautions
When the requiem began in bright sunshine and spring-like temperatures, people stood right up to the end of the Via della Conciliazione leading to the Vatican. They watched the funeral service on huge screens along the 500-metre-long boulevard and all the way to Castel Sant'Angelo on the Tiber. Screens were set up at several locations in the city.
The entire area around the Vatican is strictly guarded and the highest security precautions are in place. Snipers, dog squads, patrols on the River Tiber, police and soldiers with anti-drone technology and other special units were deployed. The Italian army is also on standby with fighter jets.
Funeral procession through Rome with coffin in the Popemobile
After the funeral mass, the coffin is first taken back to St. Peter's Basilica. The mortal remains are then taken to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial. The funeral procession will travel around six kilometers through the center of Rome, passing many sights such as Piazza Venezia, the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. Francis' coffin will be transported in a converted Popemobile.
The Eternal City has not seen a funeral procession like this for a long time. Francis is the first pope in more than 120 years not to be buried in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican grottoes, as his predecessors John Paul II and Benedict XVI were. Only seven of his predecessors lie in Santa Maria Maggiore, the last to be buried there was Clement IX in 1669.
Final resting place outside the Vatican
After the journey, the coffin arrives at St. Mary's Church not far from Rome's Termini train station. The funeral takes place in a relatively small and non-public setting: with cardinals, but also with Francis' close associates and his personal nurse.
At the Pope's request, some of the poor and homeless will also be present to bid farewell to Francis. The pontiff, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, had always stood up for the marginalized and outcasts of society during his lifetime.
In a document placed in his coffin according to the Catholic rite, it says: "Francis left everyone an admirable testimony of humanity, holy living and universal fatherhood."
