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.”

Source: CNN – Francis celebrated as ‘pope among the people’ in Vatican funeral attended by massive crowd

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Pope Francis Discharged After Five-Week Hospital Stay

Pope Francis was released from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Sunday after battling double pneumonia for the past five weeks. He has returned to the Vatican, where he will continue his recovery at Casa Santa Marta, his residence since becoming pope in 2013.

The 88-year-old pontiff made his first public appearance in weeks as he left the hospital, waving to onlookers and giving a thumbs-up from a balcony. Despite looking frail and struggling to speak, he thanked the crowd outside, acknowledged a woman holding flowers, and attempted to give a blessing, though he appeared to have difficulty raising his arms.

Francis was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection, later diagnosed as a polymicrobial infection that progressed into pneumonia in both lungs. According to his doctors, his condition has now stabilized, but his recovery will take at least two more months.

During a news conference on Saturday, Dr. Sergio Alfieri revealed that the pope had faced “two very critical episodes” during his 38-day hospitalization, where his life was in danger. He emphasized that the convalescence period ahead is “very important” and that Francis will need to gradually return to work, avoiding large gatherings for now.

Before returning to the Vatican, the pope visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to offer flowers at the icon of the Virgin Mary, Salus Populi Romani. This visit held personal significance, as Francis traditionally visits the church before and after major trips and hospital stays.

While in the hospital, Francis was rarely seen in public. The Vatican had only released one photograph of him praying in the hospital’s chapel. He also refrained from leading the Angelus prayer for six consecutive Sundays, though he still provided a weekly reflection.

In his Angelus message, which was distributed to reporters in advance, Francis spoke about patience and faith during hardship.

“During this long period of hospitalization, I have had the opportunity to experience the patience of the Lord, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of doctors and health workers, as well as in the care and hopes of the relatives of the sick,” he said.

“This trusting patience, anchored in the love of God that does not fail, is truly necessary in our life, especially to face the most difficult and painful situations.”

The pope also expressed deep concern about the ongoing conflict in Gaza, saying he was “saddened by the resumption of heavy Israeli bombings, with so many dead and wounded.” He urged for a ceasefire and renewed peace talks between Israel and Hamas to ensure all hostages are freed and a lasting peace is achieved.

Despite undergoing weeks of non-invasive mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy, Francis has remained determined to recover. His voice has improved but remains weak, and he will continue treatment and physiotherapy at the Vatican.

Dr. Luigi Carbone, the Vice-Director of the Vatican’s healthcare service, confirmed that while the pope no longer has pneumonia, he still requires further healing from the other infections he battled. He added that Francis had been in good spirits and eager to be discharged.

Francis’ demanding schedule may need to change due to his health. Before being hospitalized, he maintained a rigorous routine of meetings and speeches. His close aide, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, suggested that the pontiff’s experience in the hospital could mark a “new stage” in his life and leadership.

“He is a man of surprises, who will surely have learned so many things in this month, and he’ll pull who knows what out of the hat,” Fernández said. “So even knowing that this has been a very heavy effort for him, a difficult time, I know it will be fruitful for the church and for the world.”

Even while recovering, Francis has remained engaged in church affairs. Earlier this month, he approved a three-year reform process for the Catholic Church, which includes discussions on the ordination of women as deacons and increasing the role of non-clergy members in governance.

While his discharge has been met with relief and optimism, the coming months will be crucial for his full recovery and future role as the head of the Catholic Church.

Source: CNN – Pope Francis appears frail as he’s discharged from hospital to continue recovery at Vatican

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