Grief for Pope Francis: Worldwide honor on St. Peter's Square!

Grief for Pope Francis: Worldwide honor on St. Peter's Square!

On Saturday, April 26, 2025, an emotional funeral ceremony for the late Pope Francis took place on St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. The Pope's coffin was accompanied by cheering applause from St. Peter's Basilica and placed on the forecourt. Over 224 cardinals, 750 bishops and around 50 heads of state and government took part in the celebrations, and a total rush of up to 200,000 faithful was registered. More than 128,000 people had already said goodbye in the days before.

The delegations showed special presence. Austria was represented by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Chancellor Christian Stocker and several bishops, including Archbishop Franz Lackner. The United States was also strongly represented: President Donald Trump came with his wife Melania, among other heads of state such as Argentine President Javier Milei and Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Numerous heads of state, including German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and France President Emmanuel Macron, were present in Europe.

international delegations and participants

A total of delegations from 130 countries took part in the celebrations, including about a dozen governing sovereigns and more than 50 heads of state. According to a strict protocol, the participants were posted on St. Peter's Square, where the capacity limit was reached. For many other people who gathered on Via Della Conciliazione, access was no longer possible, since the 50,000 places were fully booked. The representatives who were also present included high-ranking representatives from the Middle East, Africa and Asia, including President Droupadi Murmu from India and the President of the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadéra.

The British crown was represented by Prince William, while Monaco was present by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène. Even President Wolodymyr Selenskyj from Ukraine and his wife Olena Selenska did not miss the opportunity to honor the Pope. Representatives from Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain were also on site.

the last honor and the reference to the needy

The papal burial is viewed not only as a state, but also as an event as a whole. In a special sign of appreciation, around 40 needy and people on the edge of the society of the ceremony will attend. This group will accept the last honor at the basilica Santa Maria Maggiore where the Pope is buried near the image of grace Salus Populi Romani.

This initiative underlines Pope Francis' approach, who always emphasized that "the poor have a privileged place in the heart of God". Over the years he led numerous financial benefits for the needy, including during the Covid 19 pandemic when he launched a fund with one million euros for unemployed people.

The ceremony was broadcast live on television, so that people outside of St. Peter's Square and the surrounding areas could also enjoy the funeral service. It was a moving event that illustrated the deep influence of Pope Francis on the global community.

The Italian security forces had prepared for one of the biggest security operations in Rome. St. Peter's Square and parts of the city center were strictly monitored, and there were extraordinary security measures to protect the participants and to ensure that the funeral service runs smoothly.