In pictures: Leaders, faithful gather for Pope Francis' funeral
Over 250,000 people visit St Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects ahead of the ceremony
By
Web Desk
Updated Saturday Apr 26 2025
World leaders and thousands of Catholic faithful gathered at the Vatican on Saturday to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88. The first Latin American pontiff, Francis led the Church for 12 years, during which he advocated for openness and social justice.
Over 250,000 people visited St Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects ahead of the ceremony, which was attended by delegations from more than 150 countries.
The coffin of Pope Francis is carried during the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re leads the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
The Book of Gospels lies on the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral Mass in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
People gather on the day of the funeral for Pope Francis, in Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Faithful attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St Peter's Square, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
People wait outside the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore), ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Mourners attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, in St Peter's Square, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
The coffin of Pope Francis is carried during the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St Peter's Square, as seen from Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Mourners attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, in St Peter's Square, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Clergy members kneel by the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral Mass in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Clergy members kneel by the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral Mass in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re leads the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, in Saint Peter's Square, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Members of the clergy attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
People gather on the day of the funeral for Pope Francis, in Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
People gather on the day of the funeral for Pope Francis, in Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, in Saint Peter's Square, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and first lady Olena Zelenska attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
US President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Poland's President Andrzej Duda, Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, French President Emmanuel Macron and Spain's King Felipe attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
People gather during Pope Francis funeral Mass, in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Clergy members attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. — Reuters
Header and thumbnail image by Reuters — People attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, at St Peter's Square, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
Updated Saturday Apr 26 2025 
