Pope Francis’ Funeral: April 26, 2025 Recap

On April 26, 2025, Catholics from all around the world gathered in St. Peter’s Square to pay their final respects at Pope Francis’ funeral. It was a day filled with sorrow, reflection, and gratitude for a man who forever changed the Church with his humility and deep compassion.

The ceremony was led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, officially marking the beginning of the Novendiale mourning period – nine days of prayer and remembrance for a pope who touched so many lives.

Pope Francis Laid to Rest: A Global Farewell to a Humble Pontiff

Pope Francis’ funeral unfolded under the soft morning light in St. Peter’s Square, where crowds of mourners, young and old, gathered to honor the first Latin American pontiff. 

Though grief was heavy in the air, the gathering also felt vibrant, in part because many young people were already in Rome for a Holy Year celebration that was planned before his death.

Following a deeply moving Mass, Pope Francis’ simple wooden coffin was carried from St. Peter’s Basilica, surrounded by hymns and tears. 

Heads of state, including President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and President Emmanuel Macron, sat alongside thousands of ordinary faithful's who simply wanted to say thank you and goodbye. It was a truly global farewell for a global pope.

Why St. Mary Major Basilica for the Burial?

After the Mass, the pope’s coffin was taken by motorcade across downtown Rome to St. Mary Major Basilica. This choice was deeply personal for Francis. Throughout his papacy, he often visited this basilica to pray before his favorite icon, the Salus Populi Romani – a tender image of the Virgin Mary that gave him comfort throughout his journey.

According to his will, Pope Francis’ burial took place in a simple underground tomb at St. Mary Major, a fitting resting place for a man who embraced simplicity over grandeur every step of the way.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re and the Novendiale Mourning

With the ceremony on April 26, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re officially initiated the Novendiale mourning, nine solemn days when the Church offers daily Masses and prayers for the soul of the departed pope. It’s a time not just for mourning, but also for reflecting on his teachings and legacy.

Throughout these days, the cardinals will also begin preparing for the conclave, where they’ll gather under ancient traditions to select the next pope. Black or white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel will eventually signal to the world whether a new pontiff has been chosen.

A Legacy Etched in Simplicity and Courage

Pope Francis, who served for 12 years, left behind a profound legacy of caring for the marginalized, advocating for the environment, and steering the Church toward a more open-hearted approach. 

He never wore the papal red shoes, chose a modest Vatican hotel over the grand Apostolic Palace, and remained close to the people he served.

In death, just like in life, he kept it simple: a wooden coffin, a white cloth over his face, a small bag of coins minted during his reign, and a handwritten record of his papacy, rolled up and placed inside a cylindrical tube tucked within the coffin.

Pope Francis' funeral was a moment of deep sadness, but also one of profound celebration — a true testament to a life lived humbly and courageously.