Farewell to Pope Francis: The Funeral in Pictures

The coffin of the Pontiff was carried out of St. Peter's Basilica to the forecourt amidst applause. Alongside 224 cardinals and 750 bishops, around 50 heads of state and government and, according to the police, at least 140,000 faithful are participating in the funeral ceremonies. US President Donald Trump arrived at St. Peter's Square accompanied by his wife Melania.

The Dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, who is delivering the funeral sermon, thanked the guests for their presence. The mass is expected to last about one and a half hours. The 91-year-old also led the funeral service for Francis' predecessor Benedict XVI in January 2023.

Top Politicians Pay Last Respects to Pope Francis

The service and the arrival of more than 160 delegations caused a state of emergency in Rome. Due to US President Trump, who landed at Fiumicino Airport with his wife Melania on Friday evening in Air Force One, extreme security measures were in place. Several streets in the Italian capital were closed. Around 10,000 security personnel were deployed to ensure the smooth running of the large event.

The many state guests took their seats to the side of the altar. At the very front sat President Javier Milei from Francis' homeland Argentina. Next to him were the Italians with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Contrary to his own indication, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also came. He had said that he might not make it to Rome when he visited a district in Kyiv on Friday that had been heavily bombed by Russia.

The Austrian delegation is led by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP). Several Austrian bishops, including the Archbishop of Salzburg Franz Lackner, Chairman of the Austrian Bishops' Conference, are also present at the celebrations.

Massive Security Measures at the Pope's Funeral

As the requiem began under bright sunshine and spring-like temperatures, people stood all the way to the end of Via della Conciliazione leading to the Vatican. On the approximately 500-meter-long grand avenue and up to the Castel Sant'Angelo on the Tiber, they followed the funeral service on huge monitors. Screens were set up at several locations in the city.

The entire area around the Vatican is under strict surveillance, with the highest security measures in place. Snipers, dog units, patrols on the Tiber River, police officers and soldiers with anti-drone technology, and other special units were deployed. The Italian army is also on standby with fighter jets.

"City is Full of Pilgrims"

According to the Vatican, around 250,000 faithful have bid farewell to Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica since Wednesday. More believers than expected came until the closing of the coffin at 7:00 PM on Friday, as the Holy See reported. The open coffin of Benedict XVI was visited by around 195,000 faithful. "The city is full of pilgrims. Many are also praying in our German-speaking church Santa Maria dell'Anima. The requiem for Pope Francis was well attended on Thursday. That made me very happy," emphasized "Anima" rector, the Salzburg native Michael Max, to the APA.

Funeral Procession Through Rome with Coffin in the Popemobile

After the funeral mass, the coffin will first be brought back to St. Peter's Basilica. Subsequently, the mortal remains will be taken to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial. The funeral procession will travel about six kilometers through the center of Rome, passing many landmarks - such as the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. The coffin of Francis is to be transported in a modified Popemobile.

Such a funeral procession has not been seen in the Eternal City for a long time. As the first pope in more than 120 years, Francis will not be buried in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican Grottos, unlike his predecessors John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Only seven of his predecessors are buried in Santa Maria Maggiore, the last being Clement IX in the year 1669.

Several hours before the arrival of the funeral procession, the crowd in front of the basilica was already large. Numerous people gathered on the forecourt of the Marian church in the center of Rome.

(APA/Red)

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