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Pope Francis Laid to Rest as Cardinals Prepare for Conclave

The late pope's funeral drew 400,000 mourners and world leaders to St. Peter's Square, marking the start of Vatican mourning and succession preparations.

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Pope Francis

Overview

  • Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at age 88, was honored with a funeral Mass attended by 400,000 people in St. Peter's Square on April 26.
  • World leaders, including Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, joined pilgrims and clergy in paying tribute to the first Latin American pope.
  • After the Mass, his plain wooden coffin was transported to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, where he was privately interred in a simple tomb inscribed 'Franciscus.'
  • Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re led the service, describing Francis as 'a pope among the people' who championed inclusivity and compassion throughout his 12-year papacy.
  • With the nine-day Vatican mourning period underway, cardinals under 80 are preparing for a conclave in early May to elect the next pope.