Pope Francis’ Funeral Draws Massive Global Crowd in Rome as Mourners Celebrate His Humble Legacy

Massive Farewell in Rome for Pope Francis

Rome was transformed on April 26, 2025, as a crowd of nearly 250,000 filled the streets and St. Peter's Square. They gathered not just to say goodbye, but to celebrate a man who redefined what it means to lead the Catholic Church. As Pope Francis’ coffin rested before the altar, an atmosphere of mourning mixed with deep gratitude washed over the city. This was more than a state event—people from every walk of life were present, from world leaders to those who had once lived on society’s margins.

Presiding over the funeral Mass, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, spoke directly to the heart of Francis’ legacy. He called him “a pope among the people,” a phrase that echoed in the prayers and tears of the assembled crowd. The scene was striking: former U.S. President Donald Trump and Melania Trump nodded alongside diplomats from every continent, but so did families and ordinary Romans who had lined up before dawn just to pay their respects.

The funeral’s scale was both grand and deeply personal. Instead of a closed, exclusive ritual, this was a public moment carried out in full view of the world. Banners waved. Hymns rang out. People hugged, sharing stories of how Francis had touched their lives—sometimes through headline-making reforms, other times through a kind word or embrace that made its way into local lore.

A Final Journey Through the Heart of Rome

After the solemn Mass, the late Pope's journey didn’t head straight to a tomb. Instead, his coffin was placed on the popemobile—making a final, open-air procession through the heart of Rome. Crowds lined the city’s ancient roads, some tossing white flowers or holding up photos, others quietly crossing themselves as the vehicle passed. It was pure Francis: accessible, rooted in tradition yet open to the present.

The path took him to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica—a place Francis often visited as a humble pilgrim, always at the start and end of his papal travels. Here, the symbolism was impossible to miss. Escorted by representatives of migrants and the poor (including former prisoners and refugees), his coffin was carried up the grand steps. This was no mere gesture. Francis had spent his life calling attention to those on the margins, speaking out on issues from poverty and injustice to climate change and dignity for all. Even in death, he made space for the people closest to his heart.

• 250,000 turned out in St. Peter’s Square for the funeral
• Procession route allowed public participation, honoring Francis’ accessible style
• Migrants and the poor took part in the final rites at Santa Maria Maggiore

Inside the basilica, the late Pope was laid to rest, not within the Vatican itself, but near the famous icon of Our Lady. Francis had always favored humility over papal grandeur, and this choice embodied that priority. His love for the Virgin Mary was well-known—he would often slip into Santa Maria Maggiore at odd hours, quietly praying before the icon, away from cameras and ceremony.

As the Vatican’s bells tolled and the gates to the basilica closed for private rites, the world waited to see what happens next. Vatican officials announced a nine-day mourning period, known as the 'novemdiales,' before moving forward with the conclave to select his successor. With the process expected to begin after May 5, the Catholic Church faces days of memorials, debate, and reflection between the old guard and those inspired by Francis’ humble path.

Back outside, people lingered long after the ceremonies ended. There was a sense that Francis—known in life for simplicity and openness—had drawn the world’s attention one last time. For many, his funeral was not just a goodbye, but a call to carry on the work that mattered most to him: reaching out to the forgotten, choosing kindness, and letting faith be lived out loud in the bustling heart of everyday life.