Thousands gathered under a bright Roman sky on Saturday to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, whose humble legacy and global influence were celebrated in a historic Vatican ceremony.
Pope Francis' wooden coffin was carried into St. Peter's Square on Saturday at the start of a funeral Mass attended by a multitude of mourners, including powerful world leaders, clerics, and pilgrims. Applause rang out as the coffin, inlaid with a large cross, was brought out of St. Peter's Basilica and into the sun-filled square by 14 white-gloved pallbearers.
Bells tolled as the last of leaders from more than 150 countries took their places. Dignitaries included U.S. President Donald Trump, who clashed with Francis on numerous occasions over their starkly contrasting positions on immigration. Other notable figures included heads of state from Argentina, France, Gabon, Germany, the Philippines, and Poland, along with European royals and prime ministers from Britain and New Zealand.
The open-air ceremony, which was celebrated by 220 cardinals, 750 bishops, and over 4,000 priests, lasted for 90 minutes. Pope Francis' casket was placed on a carpet in front of the altar, with the book of gospels laid on top, as Vatican choirs sang. Massed ranks of red-robed cardinals sat to one side of the altar, facing rows of black-suited world leaders on the other side, while hundreds of priests in white vestments filled the space in front.
Throughout the week, around 250,000 mourners filed past his body in St. Peter’s Basilica. The pope died on Monday, aged 88, following a stroke. His death marked the start of a meticulously planned period of transition for the 1.4-billion-member Roman Catholic Church, with ancient rituals and mourning.
Before taking their seats, President Trump and his wife Melania paid their respects to the late pontiff’s coffin in St. Peter's Basilica. The coffin had been sealed shut the previous night. Applause also erupted when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appeared in the square, though no details were provided on his meeting with President Trump.
The ceremony, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, was the culmination of days of mourning, as people from across the globe arrived in Rome to pay tribute to the pope.
Pope Francis, the first non-European pope in almost 13 centuries, was known for his efforts to reshape the Roman Catholic Church by championing the poor, calling for action on climate change, and advocating for migrants. His leadership was often marked by his break with traditional papal privileges. Francis chose a simpler funeral, opting for a single zinc-lined wooden coffin and for his final resting place to be outside the Vatican, at St. Mary Major Basilica, some 5.5 kilometers from St. Peter’s.
A simple iron-plated cross, similar to the one he wore during his papacy, hangs above his grave, marked with the Latin inscription "Franciscus."
President Donald Trump has expressed scepticism over Vladimir Putin’s willingness to end the war in Ukraine, suggesting that peace may not be achievable soon, despite earlier comments indicating proximity to a deal.
The Syrian Ministry of Defense on Thursday accused Hezbollah militias of firing artillery shells from Lebanese territory toward Syrian army positions in the al-Qusayr area west of Homs.
A massive explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran on Saturday killed at least four people and injured nearly 600 others, officials said, prompting an urgent government investigation.
Saudi Arabia on Friday unveiled its annual report highlighting the Kingdom’s advancements toward achieving the ambitious goals of Vision 2030 during the year 2024.
Two construction workers were critically injured Friday when suspected World War II-era ordnance exploded at a site near Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, police said.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
China’s pivot away from U.S. liquefied petroleum gas under new tariffs is shaking global energy flows, slashing demand, and fuelling a scramble for alternatives across Asia, with Middle Eastern suppliers and rival buyers seizing the moment.
A deadly attack targeting tourists in India’s Jammu and Kashmir territory has left at least 20 feared dead, marking the deadliest incident against civilians in the region for years, according to security sources.
President Donald Trump has expressed scepticism over Vladimir Putin’s willingness to end the war in Ukraine, suggesting that peace may not be achievable soon, despite earlier comments indicating proximity to a deal.
A massive explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran on Saturday killed at least four people and injured nearly 600 others, officials said, prompting an urgent government investigation.
Two construction workers were critically injured Friday when suspected World War II-era ordnance exploded at a site near Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, police said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to visit Qatar on Sunday to discuss ways to deepen bilateral ties and coordinate on key regional matters, continuing the momentum from recent diplomatic exchanges.
Top Iranian and U.S. negotiators began a new round of indirect talks on Saturday in Muscat, seeking to broker a deal to curb Tehran's nuclear programme, as President Donald Trump expressed optimism about reaching an agreement.
President Donald Trump has expressed scepticism over Vladimir Putin’s willingness to end the war in Ukraine, suggesting that peace may not be achievable soon, despite earlier comments indicating proximity to a deal.
The Syrian Ministry of Defense on Thursday accused Hezbollah militias of firing artillery shells from Lebanese territory toward Syrian army positions in the al-Qusayr area west of Homs.
A massive explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran on Saturday killed at least four people and injured nearly 600 others, officials said, prompting an urgent government investigation.
Saudi Arabia on Friday unveiled its annual report highlighting the Kingdom’s advancements toward achieving the ambitious goals of Vision 2030 during the year 2024.
Two construction workers were critically injured Friday when suspected World War II-era ordnance exploded at a site near Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, police said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment