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In pictures: World leaders, faithful honour Pope Francis at Vatican

Pontiff's funeral marks end of significant papacy that left lasting global impression

By Web Desk
April 26, 2025
People attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis at St. Peters Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
People attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters

World leaders and thousands of Catholic faithful gathered at the Vatican on Saturday to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88. The first Latin American pontiff, Francis led the Church for 12 years, during which he advocated for openness and social justice.​

Over 250,000 people visited St Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects ahead of the ceremony, which was attended by delegations from more than 150 countries. The funeral marked the end of a significant papacy that left a lasting global impression.

Pallbearers lift the coffin of Pope Francis, on the day of his funeral Mass, at St. Peters Square, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Pallbearers lift the coffin of Pope Francis, on the day of his funeral Mass, at St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters 
Pallbearers lift the coffin of Pope Francis, on the day of his funeral Mass, at St. Peters Square, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Pallbearers lift the coffin of Pope Francis, on the day of his funeral Mass, at St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
People attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
People attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
People gather as they wait to see the hearse transferring the coffin of Pope Francis, on the day of the funeral Mass of Pope Francis on St. Peters Square, in Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
People gather as they wait to see the hearse transferring the coffin of Pope Francis, on the day of the funeral Mass of Pope Francis on St. Peter's Square, in Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
People attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St. Peters Square, ahead of his funeral, as seen from Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
People attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, ahead of his funeral, as seen from Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Members of the clergy walk, on the day of the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, in St. Peters Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Members of the clergy walk, on the day of the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
U.S President Donald Trump walks on the day of the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St. Peters Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
U.S President Donald Trump walks on the day of the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
People gather on the day of the funeral for Pope Francis, in Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
People gather on the day of the funeral for Pope Francis, in Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
The Book of Gospels lies on the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral Mass in St Peters Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuter
The Book of Gospels lies on the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral Mass in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuter
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni appears ahead of the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, in Saint Peters Square, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — AFP
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni appears ahead of the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, in Saint Peter's Square, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — AFP
People wait outside the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore), ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
People wait outside the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore), ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re leads the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, in Saint Peters Square, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re leads the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, in Saint Peter's Square, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and first lady Olena Zelenska attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St Peters Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and first lady Olena Zelenska attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters