In pictures: Pope Francis mourners gather in large vigils around the world
A large crowd of mourners gathered in St Peter's Square at the Vatican to attend a rosary for Pope Francis, who died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure. Nuns attend a rosary for Pope Francis, following the death of the pontiff, in St. Peter's square, at the Vatican. ( Reuters: Guglielmo Mangiapane ) Faithful attend a rosary for Pope Francis, following the death of the pontiff, in St. Peter's square, at the Vatican. ( Reuters: Susana Vera ) A nun attends a rosary for Pope Francis, following the death of the pontiff, in St. Peter's square, at the Vatican. ( Reuters: Susana Vera )
From Italy to Mexico, similar scenes were seen around the world, as devotees gathered to pray tribute to the pope.
Faithful gathered in prayer in churches across Italy, prayers were held at Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
At noon in Rome, bells tolled at St Peter's Basilica and a silence descended on the crowd.
"We saw him here, he was just driven by in the car," said Letizia Bartocci, who works in a jewellery shop near the square.
"It was shocking news this morning."
Pope Francis confirmed in his final testament that he wished to be buried in Saint Mary Major and not at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, unlike many previous pontiffs. Spanish reverend Salvador Aguilera, who is an official of the Holy See, leads a mass for the eternal rest of Pope Francis, at the Virgen de La Paz church in Ronda. ( Reuters: Jon Nazca ) Catholics attend a Requiem Mass for Pope Francis at Westminster Cathedral in London, after the death of Pope Francis was announced. ( Reuters: Chris J Ratcliffe ) A man holds an image of Pope Francis during a mass, following the death of Pope Francis, at the Metropolitan Cathedral at Zocalo Square in Mexico City. ( Reuters: Henry Romero ) Nuns attend a mass for Pope Francis at Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, after the pontiff died, in Rome, Italy. ( Reuters: Vincenzo Livieri )
In Francis's homeland Argentina, where he once served as archbishop of Buenos Aries, people woke up to the news.
Argentines held a special mass at the Virgen de Caacupe chapel in Buenos Aires, mourning their compatriot, who was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
The building was adorned with a portrait of the pontiff where people laid their candles and flower tributes.
The government said there would be seven days of mourning. A person kneels in front of an image of Pope Francis at the Virgen de Caacupe chapel, following the death of the pontiff, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. ( Reuters: Matias Baglietto ) People attend mass at the Virgen de Caacupe chapel, following the death of Pope Francis, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. ( Reuters: Matias Baglietto ) People attend mass at the Virgen de Caacupe chapel, following the death of Pope Francis, in Buenos Aires, Argentina ( Reuters: Matias Baglietto )
Hundreds of Filipinos gathered at mass held for Pope Francis on Tuesday.
In one of the world's largest Catholic strongholds, the grief was palpable as worshippers filled churches to honour the pontiff, known in the Philippines as "Lolo Kiko", or Grandpa Kiko.
One of the chapels inside the Manila Cathedral displayed a framed photo of the Argentine pope surrounded by flowers and candles, as solemn hymns sung by the choir echoed through the church.
"Lolo Kiko was a true father to us," said Cardinal Jose Advincula, the archbishop of Manila, during the morning mass he led at the cathedral.
The Philippines, home to more than 80 million Catholics, has long had a special connection with Francis, who visited the country in 2015, drawing a record crowd of up to 7 million people at a historic mass in the capital.
Filipino devotee, Ina Delo Reyes, 32, said they were saddened by the pope's death after seeing him last Palm Sunday in St Peter's Square.
"I cried, I cried a lot." A nun prays during mass after the death of Pope Francis, in Caloocan City, Philippines. ( Reuters: Eloisa Lopez ) Filipino Catholics stand near lit candles in front of the image of Pope Francis in Manila, Philippines. ( Reuters: Lisa Marie David ) Filipino Catholics attend the requiem mass for Pope Francis at the Manila Cathedral. ( Reuters: Lisa Marie David )
Pope Francis's funeral will be held on Saturday, 10am local time, at St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican said in a statement. Posted 21m ago 21 minutes ago Tue 22 Apr 2025 at 9:36am
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