Pope Francis' funeral: ‘pope among the people' laid to rest, world celebrates his legacy

South China Morning Post

26-04-2025

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World leaders and Catholic faithful bade farewell to Pope Francis in a funeral on Saturday that highlighted his concern for people on the 'most peripheral of the peripheries' and reflected his wishes as pastor.
Some 250,000 people flocked to the funeral Mass in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican and tens of thousands more lined the motorcade route, clapping and cheering 'Papa Francesco' as his simple wooden coffin travelled aboard one of his old popemobiles to its final resting place at St. Mary Major Basilica on the other side of the city.
It was then carried into the church, escorted by Swiss Guards.
Earlier in the day, the crowds, packed with young people, applauded as the pope's coffin was carried out of St. Peter's Basilica by white gloved pallbearers, accompanied by more than 200 red-robed cardinals.
'A pope among people'
Francis was 'a pope among the people, with an open heart', who strove for a more compassionate, open-minded Catholic Church, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re said in his funeral homily.