Vatican City, April 26 (ANI):
The funeral mass of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday, concluded on Saturday at St. Peter’s Square, marked by the solemn tolling of the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica at the end of the 2-hour and 10-minute service.
Large crowds lined the streets of Rome to pay their respects as the white popemobile carrying Pope Francis’ coffin departed the Vatican, escorted by motorbikes.
The procession crossed the River Tiber to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore—a fifth-century church frequently visited by Pope Francis throughout his 12-year papacy—where bells tolled in anticipation of his arrival.
The coffin also passed notable landmarks such as the Colosseum, creating a poignant connection between the historical and spiritual heart of Rome.
Earlier, as pallbearers lifted his coffin to take it back into St. Peter’s Basilica, the largely quiet crowd erupted into applause in tribute, CNN reported.
The Vatican issued a statement noting that over 250,000 people were present as the funeral concluded.
The service ended with the choir singing the Magnificat, the Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.”
Pope Francis’ coffin was carried through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica for a final time, slowly approaching the main altar as the basilica’s bells tolled in mourning.
The elaborate rituals for the funeral began six days after Pope Francis’ final public appearance on Easter Sunday.
An estimated 200,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square to mourn, according to the Vatican, including 130 delegations representing world leaders and reigning monarchs.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 91, one of the most senior figures in the Catholic Church, conducted the service and praised Pope Francis’ legacy of compassion and openness.
In his homily, Cardinal Battista Re recalled Pope Francis’ sensitivity to the signs of the times and the movements of the Holy Spirit within the Church.
He highlighted Pope Francis’ warmth, empathy for contemporary struggles, and his focus on key issues such as climate change and refugee rights.
Reflecting on the late pontiff’s impact, Cardinal Re noted:
“The outpouring of affection we have witnessed tells us how deeply Pope Francis’ pontificate touched minds and hearts.”
Pope Francis died at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke on Easter Monday, just one day after delivering his Easter blessing to the faithful, CNN reported. (ANI)
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