In Rome, Pope Francis was buried.
In Rome, Pope Francis was buried.
In Rome, Pope Francis was buried.
BBC.com
April 26, 2025, International News, 18:15
Read for seven minutes.
Following a burial service and procession that was attended by hundreds of thousands of people, including several heads of state, Pope Francis was laid to rest in Rome.
After a 12-year pontificate, the first South American pope died on Monday at the age of 88.
Teenage pilgrims, nuns, and priests of many religions poured slowly along the streets leading to the Vatican as the Italian city awoke to a foggy morning.
Since over a hundred international officials were anticipated to attend the burial liturgy, several of the streets around St. Peter's Basilica were blocked for both security and tourist traffic.
Along with firemen, ambulances, dog handlers, volunteers, military personnel, and even park guards, about 8,000 Italian police officers from various branches were deployed.
Many people from all across Italy had been summoned to Rome today, which resulted to a very happy mingling of regional dialects, ranging from Milanese to Sicilian.
Many parts of the plaza were already occupied by 8:00 local time (06:00 GMT).
Cyril, 20, from the US, and Jessica, 22, from Mexico, had come at first light to guarantee a front row seat for the burial service.
"We never imagined that we would be that close. "It's worth the little sleep we gave up to be here," Jessica added.
As a Catholic, she said that her Mexican family would "never believe it" if she told them she had attended the Pope's burial at the Vatican.
Hundreds of photographers in the press area on the colonnade's roof snapped frantically as heads of state and foreign dignitaries positioned themselves to the right of the altar in an attempt to get a candid photo of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump, whose most recent meeting in February resulted in a heated exchange in the Oval Office.
However, it quickly became apparent that the two men had already met for around fifteen minutes before to the start of the ceremony when a remarkable picture of them seated on two seats inside St. Peter's started to circulate.
The conference "had potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results," Zelensky later said.
Although no more information was provided, several people subsequently made jokes on social media that the encounter had been a "miracle" considering the circumstances.
Images revealed that Trump, Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had also met at the Vatican.
All morning, St. Peter's Square was a riot of hues shimmering in the sun, from the vivid red of the clergy's habits to the subdued grey and blue of nuns' veils to the rainbow sun hats worn by pilgrims.
Drones and seagulls crisscrossed above Michelangelo's dome, while hymns played on enormous speakers, periodically muffled out by the sound of helicopters buzzing overhead.
However, when he presided over the mass, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who is 91 years old, spoke clearly.
Even though all of the songs were performed in Latin and the readings were done in a variety of languages, the service's format was very similar to that of any Catholic burial mass.
A mob of 200,000 people, according to the Vatican, cheered outside St. Peter's when Zelensky took his place in front of big screens. When the Pope's plain wooden coffin was seen, there was also cheering.
Other noteworthy moments were highlighted by the applause of the audience, such as when Cardinal Re recalled the Pope's dedication to peace and migration during his sermon.
He remembered the service the Pope delivered at the US-Mexico border and said that the Pope's first visit had been to the Italian island of Lampedusa, the port of entry in Europe for many migrants who undertake the dangerous trek across the Mediterranean.
He said that in addition to killing people, war also destroys houses, hospitals, and schools. Every time there is a war, the planet is left in a worse state than before; everyone suffers a terrible defeat.
Pope Francis has encouraged the world to "build bridges, not walls" on several occasions, the cardinal stressed.
A lady named Maria told the BBC, "It was good to hear that on a day when so many heads of state were on St Peter's Square." She had travelled in from Sardinia just attend the burial, along with her friend Grazia.
"I believe it was a message just for them, since they, not us, choose whether there would be war or peace. We can only hope that something reached them.
Grazia said, "Otherwise, their presence was just pure hypocrisy."
As many members of the sizable throng stepped forward to accept the hosts, a procession of white-clad priests bearing golden chalices filled with communion wafers made its way along St. Peter's Square during communion.
Cardinal Re soon used holy water to bless the Pope's casket before burning incense in a thurible, which is a sign of purification. Following the coffin's blessing, the bells of the basilica tolled three times.
Following a little socialising, international leaders began leaving the basilica. After then, their motorcades left the Vatican.
While other leaders attended a series of unofficial meetings in Rome, Trump was reportedly back on Air Force One within an hour.
at the meanwhile, the Pope's casket was slowly paraded around Rome to be buried at the Santa Maria Maggiore church.
As the funeral, a converted white popemobile, crossed the Tiber River and passed some of Rome's most recognised landmarks, including the Forum, the Colosseum, and the Altare della Patria national monument on Piazza Venezia, 140,000 people reportedly lined the streets, cheering and waving.
The live feed stopped as the coffin arrived at Santa Maria Maggiore and was carried inside.
Around 15:00, Pope Francis was laid to rest next to a cherished image of the Virgin Mary on the right side of the church.
The clergy, pilgrims, and tourists swiftly left St. Peter's Square. Minutes later, many could be seen at the many pizzerias, cafés, and restaurants of the surrounding ancient Borgo Pio district.
Sardinian Grazia claimed she was very affected by the funeral.
Gathering in one square with individuals from all around the globe and sharing a moment together was amazing. "This is the Pope's legacy," she said.
According to officials, there were no significant events throughout the day.
"Four hundred thousand people shared a historic and emotional moment, and thanks to everyone's commitment the day took place in a solemn and serene way, without critical issues," said Fabio Ciciliano, the director of Civil Protection.
The conclave, which will choose the next Pope, is the next significant event that the city of Rome and Catholics worldwide will be getting ready for.
Although a start date has not yet been decided, it is believed to begin as early as May 5 or 6, after the conclusion of the Novemdiales, the required nine days of mourning.
It will be the biggest and most unexpected conclave in modern history, with 135 cardinals expected to participate.
Journalists have been harassing cardinals who were out and about in Rome over the previous several days in an attempt to learn what the conclave would produce.
The media also approached Soane Patita Paini Mafi, the Cardinal of Tonga, as he left St. Peter's Square after the burial.
He was questioned whether it was time for an Asian pope after a South American one.
Cardinal Mafi gestured to the heavens while laughing. His words were, "Only He knows,"
