Some attendees spent the previous night resting on the streets close to the Vatican, beginning to gather in St. Peter’s Square at dawn on Saturday to say their final goodbye to Pope Francis. Later, global leaders took their places in rows near an altar positioned in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The atmosphere was fitting for a state funeral, featuring red-robed cardinals, royalty, and dignitaries present for the outdoor Mass. However, many attendees came not only to honor a pope but to remember a figure who held a personal significance in their lives, having dedicated over ten years to advocating for marginalized individuals.
“He was more than a pope; he was a father figure for us migrants,” shared Virginia Munos Ramires, 30, originally from El Salvador, as she clutched a railing in St. Peter’s Square under the glaring sun. “He stood for Latinos, immigrants — he was a beacon for us all.”
Attendees varied in attire, with some in suits, others sporting blue and white soccer jerseys from Argentina, and many adorned in traditional Polish outfits or colorful fabrics from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Loud applause erupted when Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who led the Mass, reflected in his sermon on the pope’s inaugural trip to Lampedusa, an Italian island symbolizing the influx of migrants into Europe over the last decade.
Cardinal Re emphasized how Pope Francis “gave himself fully, particularly to those in need,” all while standing near the iconic statue of St. Peter, the first pope.
As seagulls called out and helicopters buzzed overhead, a respectful silence enveloped the square while readings in Latin, Italian, and various other languages echoed.
Despite the formalities, the atmosphere resembled that of a concert, with the Mass taking place on a distant stage where the figures seemed small. The giant screens and sound system enhanced a sense of closeness for the crowd.
At one point, the cameras zoomed in on a small detail of the pope’s coffin, intensifying the gravity of the moment. Minutes later, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine was shown as he took his seat, leading to cheers from the crowd.
Yet, the grandeur of the setting captured everyone’s attention; the piazza, adorned around the Vatican obelisk, was framed by colossal colonnades topped with sculptures silhouetted against the sky.
Among the mourners were Catholics from regions to which Pope Francis had notably reached out. Many, including a retired grocery store owner from Genoa, expressed that Francis felt like a “normal person,” just like them. One banner read, “The world you loved is here today to say thank you.”
Francesca Butros, a nun from Egypt, hurried into the piazza to find a good spot. She had prayed for Pope Francis, who battled knee health issues, to ease her pain so she could reach St. Peter’s in time for the service. She made it, although another nun had injured her ankle in the subway.
Epiphana Lubangula, 53, a Tanzanian nurse working in Italy, stated, “We are gathered here from the West to the East.” She expressed hope that “the powerful present will cherish Francis’ message.”
A priest from Myanmar, the Rev. Caesar Htoo Ko Ko, remarked that since the pope visited their country in 2017, people there now “have a clearer picture of what a Catholic is.”
While media attention shifted to a meeting between Mr. Zelensky and President Trump in the basilica prior to the funeral, many mourners were primarily focused on honoring the pope.
“He felt like family,” remarked Colette Sandjon, 68, who traveled from Paris and stood overnight in a Vatican side street to ensure her spot at the pope’s funeral.
“When he spoke to me, it felt as though he was addressing all of Africa,” she added, her eyes puffy from lack of sleep.
As the service neared its conclusion, with midday approaching, the spring heat was taking its toll on those who had been standing since before dawn. Hundreds seated themselves during the homily, while others attempted to cool off with the funeral program booklet.
With the pope laid to rest, many Catholics began to contemplate the future. Some wondered who would now advocate for the voiceless with their most vocal champion gone. Others expressed hope that the era of Francis, which emphasized charity and pastoral work over strict church doctrine, would continue.
The Rev. Joseph Jaros from the Czech Republic noted his agreement with Francis regarding the need for church reform, but echoed a sentiment frequently voiced among conservatives, stating that changes should honor tradition. “The world is changing considerably, but the church should not change excessively,” he remarked.
Ms. Munos Ramires, the Salvadoran migrant, expressed her primary concern for Pope Francis’ message. “As migrants, we have worries,” she said. “We hope to have another advocate.”
After the Mass concluded, the cardinals gracefully descended the basilica’s staircase in red robes, while the crowd gradually dispersed. The piazza outside the basilica was left quiet.
Jason Horowitz contributed reporting.
