Large Crowds Gather in Vatican for Pope Francis’ Funeral Service

VATICAN CITY — Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday to bid farewell to Pope Francis, who passed away recently. Authorities anticipated around 500,000 attendees for the funeral, which featured large screens for those unable to get close to the ceremony.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, delivering the homily, recalled Francis’ significant visits to Lampedusa and Lesbos, highlighting the ongoing tragedies of migration. He urged an end to wars, prompting loud applause from the crowd.

Among the attendees was Anna Lamberti, an 18-year-old from Milan, who shared her experience at the event. “Pope Francis was very attentive to us, he made us feel heard and loved,” she reflected, as friends gathered under the warm sun.

As the ceremony began, the congregation responded to the traditional entrance antiphon from Psalm 64, setting a solemn tone for the service. The liturgy also included readings from the Acts of the Apostles and the Letter of Saint Paul, emphasizing hope and unity.

In preparation for the procession, which would move at walking pace through Rome, the police deployed thousands of officers and volunteers to assist the large crowds. This procession would cover about four miles from St. Peter’s Square to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where Francis will be laid to rest.

As tributes poured in, foreign leaders and dignitaries, including U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, gathered to pay their respects. An estimated 164 delegations were present, highlighting the global significance of the pope’s legacy.

Symbolically, a group of poor and marginalized individuals awaited Francis’ coffin at the Basilica, representing his commitment to the less fortunate throughout his papacy. “This is what he wanted, to have those he cared for the most present at his final resting place,” stated a Vatican spokesperson.

Cardinal Re summarized the unique nature of the late pope, stating, “He was a Pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone.”