Vatican funeral highlights: Pope Francis has been laid to rest today in a “simplified” funeral ceremony held at the Vatican, drawing a crowd of over 250,000 mourners. The late pontiff’s tomb has been placed at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, situated at the highest point of the Italian capital. This marks a significant moment as Pope Francis becomes the first pope in more than a century to be buried outside the walls of the Vatican. The pontiff’s final resting place is inscribed simply with the word “Franciscus,” reflecting his humble nature and desire for simplicity.
The funeral service, which took place in St. Peter’s Square, lasted approximately two hours and was steeped in ritual and tradition. More than 100 delegations attended, including numerous world leaders and reigning monarchs, paying tribute to the first Latin American pope. This moving ceremony came just six days after Pope Francis made his final public appearance during Easter, marking the end of an era for the Catholic Church.
In a poignant moment ahead of the funeral, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump met privately in St. Peter’s Basilica. The two leaders engaged in talks as part of the White House’s growing effort to negotiate a resolution to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, underscoring the high-stakes international significance of the occasion.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who conducted the service, spoke of Pope Francis’s remarkable legacy, emphasizing his leadership qualities. “He led with an open heart toward everyone,” Cardinal Re said, reflecting on the late pope’s deep commitment to humanity and inclusivity. Mourners gathered to honor Francis, fondly remembering him as the “people’s pope” for his down-to-earth approach and open-mindedness.
Several mourners who attended Pope Francis’ funeral today shared with CNN that they drove through the night to be part of the historic farewell.
Clemence Grange, 30, from France, journeyed with her sisters and a friend, taking turns behind the wheel. The group left Lyon at 7 p.m. local time on Friday (1 p.m. ET) and arrived outside the Vatican by 6 a.m., filled with emotions of both "joy" and sorrow.
“We’re grateful for the life of Pope Francis,” Grange said, recalling seeing the late pope twice during World Youth Day celebrations. She praised him for bringing “more justice in the Church” and expressed pride in his commitment to the environment and the poor.
Similarly, Anita Althaus, 65, and a friend made a 14-hour drive from Germany’s Black Forest region to attend the funeral mass.
“I loved him from the very first moment because he was human, with such an open heart," Althaus said as the ceremony concluded. "He had love always."
CNN
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Pope Francis Laid to Rest at Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome
Pope Francis has been interred at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, the Vatican confirmed on Saturday. The "rite of the Entombment of the Roman Pontiff" began at 1 p.m. local time (7 a.m. ET) in a ceremony led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo responsible for making arrangements for the pope's funeral. The service concluded at 1:30 p.m.
In a historic move, Francis becomes the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican's walls. In his will, the late pontiff requested his tomb be marked with only the word: "Franciscus."
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: How the New Pope Is Elected
Following the death of a pope, the Vatican enters a transitional phase known as the sede vacante or interregnum. During this period, authority passes to the College of Cardinals, but no major decisions are made until a new pope is chosen.
Roughly 15 to 20 days after the pope’s death, cardinals under the age of 80 gather in the Sistine Chapel, which is sealed off, to elect the next pontiff through a secret ballot. Voting can occur up to four times a day, with a candidate needing a two-thirds majority to be elected.
If no candidate is chosen after 33 rounds of voting, the top two contenders enter a final run-off. Ballots are burned after each vote: black smoke signals no decision, while white smoke indicates that a new pope has been elected.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Massive crowds bid farewell to Pope Francis
The Vatican has announced that around 150,000 people lined the streets of Rome to witness Pope Francis’s final journey. His coffin was driven through the heart of the Italian capital to its resting place at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Trump and Melania Depart Rome After Pope Francis’ Funeral
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump swiftly left Rome aboard Air Force One following the conclusion of Pope Francis’ funeral mass at the Vatican.
Before departing for Rome on Friday, Trump told reporters at the White House that he expected the funeral to be "very interesting." He added that he would be meeting with several foreign leaders, amid ongoing tensions over the tariffs imposed by the US earlier this month.
During their time in Rome, Trump briefly met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at St. Peter's Basilica. The Trumps were also photographed with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Pope Francis’ Coffin Arrives at Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore for Burial
Pope Francis’ final journey has reached its solemn conclusion as his coffin arrives at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Pallbearers gently lift the coffin from the popemobile and carry it into the church, marking the end of a remarkable life.
In a historic decision, Pope Francis chose to be buried at this revered church, becoming the first pope in over a century to be laid to rest outside of the Vatican.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Coffin of Pope Francis Passes by Iconic Colosseum on Final Journey
The convoy carrying Pope Francis' coffin in a white popemobile has passed by Rome’s Colosseum, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The solemn procession is heading towards Santa Maria Maggiore, where the late pontiff will be laid to rest. Pope Francis will be the first pope since Leo XIII to be buried outside St. Peter's Basilica.
Large crowds have gathered along the streets of Rome to pay their final respects as the vehicle carrying Pope Francis' coffin makes its way across the city.
Some mourners are seen capturing the moment on their phones, while others erupt into applause as the procession passes by.
The funeral of Pope Francis has officially concluded, as the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica tolled, marking the end of the service after 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Final Journey to Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore Begins
Following the solemn service, Pope Francis’ coffin is now being transported across the River Tiber to Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. Bells there have also begun ringing, preparing to receive the pontiff’s body.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Cardinals Return to Basilica as Farewell Ceremony Progresses
The cardinals have risen from their seats in St. Peter’s Square and are filing solemnly back into St. Peter’s Basilica. Meanwhile, the pallbearers are moving forward, preparing to lift Pope Francis’ coffin for the next stage of the farewell ceremony.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Somber Scenes as Funeral Service Draws to a Close
The funeral service is nearing its end, and the atmosphere at the front of the crowd at the Vatican has turned deeply somber.
Some mourners are kneeling on the cobblestones in silent prayer, while others have been moved to tears.
Stewards are now preparing the barriers as the crowd readies for the procession towards the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Pope Francis’ Final Commendation and Prayer Service
After the distribution of communion, which lasted around 10 minutes, the congregation entered a reflective silence before the concluding segment of the service—the commendation of Pope Francis’ soul to heaven.
In Latin, Cardinal Re led the prayer: “Let us commend to God’s tender mercy the soul of Pope Francis, Bishop of the Catholic Church, who confirmed his brothers and sisters in the faith of the resurrection.”
The cardinals then invoked the names of numerous Catholic saints, asking them to pray for Pope Francis. Following this, a funeral prayer from the Byzantine Liturgy was recited in Greek, with representatives from the Eastern Catholic Churches coming forward to participate. These 23 autonomous churches, though separate from the Roman Catholic Church, share the pope as their leader and are in full communion with Rome.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Peace and Communion Shared Among Congregation During Solemn Ceremony
Cardinal Re has consecrated the bread and wine, and the choir has led the congregation in chanting the Lord’s Prayer. The congregation, including cardinals, world leaders, and members of the public, has just participated in the Sign of Peace, a rite in which individuals express peace, communion, and charity. As part of the tradition, attendees turned to those around them to shake hands, saying, “Peace be with you.” In a symbolic moment, US President Donald Trump exchanged a handshake with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Cardinals Lead Eucharistic Prayer in Solemn Service
The cardinals are now focusing on the central and most solemn part of this morning's service: the Eucharist. Cardinal Re has just censed the altar and is beginning the Eucharistic Prayer, in which the celebrant offers the faithful to the service of God and oversees the consecration of the bread and wine. The choir will soon sing the Sanctus, and once the Eucharistic Prayer concludes, everyone will join in chanting the Lord’s Prayer together.
CNN
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Pope Francis to Be Laid to Rest at Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
After a simple ceremony at the Vatican, Pope Francis' body will be carried across the River Tiber and buried in a tomb at Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Trump Joins World Leaders to Honor Pope Francis
President Donald Trump on Saturday was among more than 50 heads of state and other dignitaries attending the funeral of Pope Francis, where he’ll personally pay his respects to the Roman Catholic leader who pointedly disagreed with him on a variety of issues. Trump arrived at the Vatican with his wife, first lady Melania Trump. Trump told reporters on Friday as he flew to Rome that he was going to the funeral “out of respect” for the pontiff, who died Monday after suffering a stroke at the age of 88.Francis sharply disagreed with Trump's approach on issues including immigration, the treatment of migrants and climate change. The Argentine pontiff and the American president sparred early in their relationship over immigration.
AP
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: 200,000 Gather for Pope Francis’s Funeral
Vatican authorities report that around 200,000 people have gathered in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’s funeral. For comparison, about 50,000 attended Pope Benedict XVI’s funeral in 2023, while roughly 300,000 mourners gathered for Pope John Paul II’s funeral in 2005.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Trump and Zelenskyy Meet in Rome Before Funeral
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump held a meeting in Rome ahead of Pope Francis’s funeral, confirmed Sergii Nykyforov, Zelenskyy’s spokesperson. Although Zelenskyy had earlier expressed willingness to meet, Trump had remained noncommittal when asked by reporters. This marks their first face-to-face encounter since their tense Oval Office meeting in February, where Trump criticized Zelenskyy over perceived lack of gratitude for U.S. support. The White House has not yet issued a statement on the meeting.
CNN
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Cardinal Re Leads Prayer for Forgiveness
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old dean of the College of Cardinals, led a brief prayer at the start of the service, inviting all to acknowledge their sins and seek forgiveness. “Brethren, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries,” he said. Following his words, the choir sang the Kyrie, a solemn prayer for mercy, in Greek.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Funeral Service Begins with Latin Prayers and Psalms
The funeral of Pope Francis has officially begun with the introductory rites. The ceremony opened with an antiphon and a psalm, sung in Latin. The congregation and choir chanted, “Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei” (“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him”). The Sistine Chapel Choir, composed of 20 men and about 30 boys, then intoned Psalm 64: “Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion; et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem” (“Praise is due to you in Zion, O God. To you we pay our vows in Jerusalem”).
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Diplomatic Moves Possible on Funeral Sidelines
With numerous world leaders gathering for Pope Francis’s funeral, hopes are rising for diplomatic discussions on the sidelines. A senior official told AFP that U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could potentially meet in Rome. This follows a three-hour meeting in Moscow between Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where the Kremlin noted that their positions on ending the Ukraine war had moved closer.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Trump Arrives at Vatican to Pay Final Respects
US President Donald Trump arrived at the Vatican with First Lady Melania Trump to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, despite past clashes with the pontiff on immigration, climate change, and other issues. Speaking to reporters on his flight to Rome, Trump said he was attending “out of respect” for the Pope, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: What to Expect in the Coming Hours
With less than an hour to go, Pope Francis’s funeral is set to begin at 1:30 PM IST in St. Peter’s Square. The service will be led by 91-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, and is expected to last up to two hours. Most of the liturgy will take place outdoors, after which Pope Francis’s body will be brought into St. Peter’s Basilica one final time. In the early afternoon, his casket will be transported to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, around 6 kilometers away, where he will be laid to rest.
Rashtrapati Ji pays homage to His Holiness, Pope Francis on behalf of the people of India. The world will always remember his service to society. https://t.co/eW73nRp4MZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Rashtrapati Ji pays homage to His Holiness, Pope Francis on behalf of the people of India. The world will always remember his service to society,” honoring the Pope’s legacy and global impact.
https://t.co/eW73nRp4MZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2025
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Joe Biden Arrives at St. Peter’s Square
Former US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have arrived at St. Peter’s Square as the funeral of Pope Francis is set to begin in under an hour. Biden will join the U.S. delegation, which includes current President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Delegations are seated alphabetically in French, placing the U.S. group—États-Unis—near representatives from Estonia and Finland.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Thousands to Gather as Pope Francis Is Laid to Rest
Around 200,000 people are expected to gather in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday for Pope Francis’s funeral. While world leaders including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, the UN chief, EU leaders, Prince William, and the Spanish royal family will attend, prisoners and migrants—groups close to Francis’s heart—will usher his casket into the basilica. Breaking with recent tradition, he will be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica in a simple underground tomb marked only with his name: Franciscus. The funeral will begin at 10 AM local time (1:30 PM IST).
AP
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Zelenskyy Arrives in Rome for Funeral
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, a Ukrainian presidential spokesman confirmed on Saturday.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: Where he will be buried?
Breaking with recent tradition, Pope Francis will be laid to rest in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, near Rome’s main train station, in a modest underground tomb marked simply with his name: Franciscus. Following the funeral, his casket will travel a 4-kilometer route through the heart of Rome, with up to 300,000 people expected to line the streets.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: 200,000 Mourners Expected
Up to 200,000 mourners are expected to attend Pope Francis’s funeral, which he personally planned by revising and simplifying Vatican rites last year. The changes reflect his desire to be remembered as a humble priest rather than “a powerful man of this world,” the Vatican said.
Pope Francis funeral LIVE: World Leaders to Attend Funeral
A host of global dignitaries are expected at Pope Francis’s funeral, with US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron confirming attendance even before the date was announced. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, and Germany’s outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz will also be present. Former US President Joe Biden will attend with First Lady Jill Biden.