Overview
- Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, was interred in a simple tomb at Santa Maria Maggiore after a solemn funeral in Vatican City on April 26, 2025.
- The funeral was attended by 400,000 mourners and over 50 heads of state, including Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who held a notable meeting at St. Peter's Basilica.
- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re praised Francis as 'a pope among the people' and highlighted his commitment to humility, inclusion, and peace during the funeral homily.
- Italian and Vatican authorities implemented extensive security measures, including fighter jets and rooftop snipers, to ensure the safety of the high-profile event.
- The Vatican has entered a nine-day mourning period, after which cardinals under 80 will convene to elect the 267th pope, shaping the Church's future direction.