The funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, is taking place today at the Vatican. Thousands have gathered to honor the life and legacy of a pope who shaped the Catholic Church and global dialogue over the past decade.
World leaders and dignitaries, including Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Prince William, are among the mourners.
Before the service began, many, including Trump and Prince William, paid their respects at Pope Francis’s coffin inside St Peter’s Basilica.
Ahead of the mass, Trump and Zelensky also met briefly, according to Zelensky’s spokesman, as negotiations over the war in Ukraine continue.
The scale of attendance is massive. Italian police report that about 140,000 people have gathered in St Peter’s Square and the surrounding streets. Of these, around 40,000 are inside the square itself, which is now nearing full capacity.
The funeral mass is structured around key Biblical readings meant to invite reflection and prayer.
The first reading is from the Acts of the Apostles, read by Kielce Gussie, a journalist from Vatican News. This is followed by a responsorial Psalm, then a second reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians.
Leading the funeral mass is Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old Dean of the College of Cardinals.
Ordained in 1957 for the Diocese of Brescia, Cardinal Re was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001. He participated in the papal conclaves of 2005 and 2013, which elected Popes Benedict XVI and Francis respectively.
Earlier this year, Pope Francis extended his tenure as dean, recognizing his decades of service to the Church.
Several large screens have been placed across the square and surrounding areas, allowing the massive crowds to follow the proceedings.
Applause broke out at various moments, including when President Zelensky appeared among the mourners.
Today’s service marks a historic farewell to a pope remembered for his emphasis on mercy, social justice, and compassion.
