A sea of mourners is expected to flood St Peter’s Square this Saturday as the world prepares to bid farewell to Pope Francis, the beloved head of the Catholic Church who passed away Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke. His death came less than a day after delivering a heartfelt Easter address, a final act that now marks the end of a historic papacy.
More than 250,000 mourners are anticipated to attend the funeral, with global leaders and royalty joining ordinary faithful in what is expected to be one of the most significant religious gatherings of the decade.
The Vatican has confirmed that high-profile figures from across the globe will be present. These include Prince William, U.S President Donald Trump and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil — the nation with the largest Catholic population in the world. French President Emmanuel Macron, Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are also expected to attend.
Adding to the roster are British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Polish President Andrzej Duda, Argentinian President Javier Milei — representing Pope Francis’s home country — and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Thousands of pilgrims have already arrived in Vatican City, many bearing candles, flowers and rosaries, paying their respects in solemn prayer. “We came because he was the Pope of the people,” said Maria Delgado, a mourner from Spain. “He led with humility and always spoke for the poor.”
The funeral mass will take place in St Peter’s Square, the same venue where Pope Francis inspired millions with his progressive vision of a Church that embraces compassion, inclusion and peace.
Though known for stirring reform and championing the marginalised, it is perhaps his final message of unity that echoes loudest now. As one Vatican official noted, “In death, as in life, Pope Francis is bringing the world together.”
The Vatican has advised that security will be tight, with leaders from more than a dozen nations expected. But for the faithful gathering in Rome, it’s not about politics or power.
“This is not just a burial,” said Father Luca Romano, a priest stationed at St Peter’s Basilica. “It’s a farewell to a shepherd who walked with his flock until the very end.”
