Tens of Thousands Mourn Pope Francis, Celebrating a Life of Compassion and Reform

The bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang solemnly as tens of thousands gathered in Vatican City to bid farewell to Pope Francis, a leader remembered as a champion of the poor, migrants, and the marginalized.

The funeral Mass, held on the steps of the iconic basilica, drew an extraordinary crowd — over 250,000 mourners in the square and along the 6-kilometer procession route through Rome. More than 50 world leaders and 11 monarchs paid their respects, including U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, Argentine President Javier Milei, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.

As the modest wooden coffin was carried back into the basilica, applause broke the solemn silence of the crowd. After the service, Francis’ body was taken across the River Tiber to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore for burial, passing Rome’s ancient Colosseum along the way.

“I loved him from the very first moment because he was human, with such an open heart,” said Anita Althaus, who drove overnight from Germany to attend. “He had love always.”

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, died at age 88 following a stroke on Easter Monday — just one day after giving his final public blessing in St. Peter’s Square.

His funeral was simple by design, following his own wishes to focus not on power, but on his identity as a humble pastor. Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, leading the homily, praised Francis’ relentless advocacy for refugees, the poor, and peace amid the world’s wars.

“Build bridges, not walls,” was a refrain Francis often repeated, Cardinal Re reminded mourners.

The ceremony also reflected the pope’s global reach. Prayers were offered in multiple languages, including French, Arabic, Portuguese, Polish, German — and for the first time, Mandarin Chinese.

Holy Communion was distributed to both cardinals and laypeople, with handshakes and warm greetings rippling through the crowd, capturing the uplifting spirit Francis often encouraged.

True to his mission, Pope Francis ensured that the poor, homeless, migrants, and other marginalized groups were not only invited to the funeral but given a front-row place to honor him. A group of transgender women living in a Roman convent also attended, illustrating Francis’ lifelong efforts to include those often overlooked by the Church.

“The poor have a privileged place in the heart of God,” a Vatican statement emphasized — a belief Francis lived until his final day.

For his burial, Francis chose Santa Maria Maggiore, becoming the first pope in more than 300 years to be interred there — away from the public eye, among the people he championed.

Sister Evelyn, attending from the Basilica, said, “When Pope Francis recognized us in the periphery, we felt seen. Will the next pope see us too?”

Francis was a trailblazer: the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first modern pope born outside Europe. Elected in 2013, he ushered in progressive reforms, expanding roles for women and softening the Church’s tone on LGBTQ+ issues. His famous words on sexual orientation — “Who am I to judge?” — captured his pastoral approach.

He approved blessings for same-sex couples, though without changing official doctrine, and he remained a vocal critic of nationalism and harsh immigration policies, including rebukes of the Trump administration.

Still, his papacy was not without controversy. Survivors and activists say more work remains to address clerical sexual abuse, and divisions over Church teachings on sexuality persist. Some conservative factions within the Church openly criticized his leadership.

The next pope will be chosen in a closed-door conclave, with tensions expected between cardinals who wish to continue Francis’ progressive path and those who seek to shift the Church back toward conservatism.

Many young Catholics, however, hope for continuity.

“I hope the next pope will be close to the people, like Francis,” said Candela Rodríguez, a 21-year-old student from Spain attending the funeral. “He did a good job of bringing religion closer to young people.”

Across Vatican City, mourners echoed a similar feeling: deep sadness at the loss, and gratitude for a life devoted to compassion, reform, and service to those who needed it most.

“He was a simple man who loved others,” said Sister Luisa, a nun from Munich. “We feel blessed — and we feel sorrow.”