At St.
Peter’s Square in Vatican City, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, presided over Pope Francis’s funeral Mass on Friday.
The square was filled with royalty and dignitaries — including presidents and prime ministers — along with thousands of the faithful who had come to pay their final respects.
The ceremony marked the end of a papacy that, though often turbulent, was deeply transformative.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis was known for his humility, his commitment to social justice, and his efforts to reform the Catholic Church.
He often emphasized compassion and concern for the poor and marginalized, earning him admiration both within and outside the Church.
His distinctive approach frequently attracted both praise and criticism from observers around the world.
Amid solemn prayers and heartfelt tributes, people around the world joined in mourning and expressing gratitude for Pope Francis’s lasting legacy.
Clergy and lay faithful alike paid tribute to his decades of service to the Church.
The late pontiff’s leadership and compassion left an indelible mark on the Church and beyond.
