The world bids an emotional farewell to Pope Francis today, with funeral rites taking place in Rome in accordance with his personal wishes. The final resting place of the pontiff will be the St. Mary Major Basilica, a site he cherished deeply. The funeral proceedings began at 1:30 PM IST, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista, head of the College of Cardinals, leading the solemn rituals.
Thousands of people gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican over the past days to offer their final respects to the beloved pope during public viewing hours. Today’s funeral ceremony has drawn over 180 global dignitaries, including Indian President Droupadi Murmu, former U.S. President Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, among others. The Vatican had earlier confirmed the presence of these leaders and ensured special arrangements were made across Rome to handle the expected large turnout of mourners and pilgrims.
Pope Francis had taken a personal interest in simplifying the rituals associated with papal funerals. Just last November, he restructured the traditional protocols, requesting a simpler ceremony. Breaking from the customary practice of using three nested coffins made from cypress, oak, and elm, he instead requested a single modest wooden coffin.
The ceremony not only marks the end of a papacy but also reflects the humility and accessibility Pope Francis stood for during his lifetime. His reforms, compassion, and global outreach made him a revered figure not just among Catholics, but people of all faiths.
