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In focus Magazine March 2025 advertise

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Pope Francis’s Funeral: A Historic Global Gathering in the Heart of the Vatican

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The funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, will take place on April 26 at 10:00 am local time in the grand Baroque plaza before St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. His passing, at the age of 88 due to a stroke, has drawn worldwide sorrow and prompted an outpouring of tributes from global leaders and faithful followers. The six-day period between his death and the funeral has seen private mourning, with Pope Francis’s body lying in state at the Santa Marta Domus and later St. Peter’s Basilica for public homage.

A Simpler Ceremony for a Simpler Pope

True to his humble nature, Pope Francis requested a simple burial at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, rather than the traditional entombment in St. Peter’s. His grave will bear only the Latin inscription, “Franciscus.” In line with his wishes, the ceremony avoids the grandeur seen in past papal funerals. His casket will rest plainly within the basilica, not on a raised bier, and surrounded by mourners, the Paschal candle, and soft Latin chants.

World Leaders Pay Their Respects

A historic roster of global dignitaries will attend the funeral. Confirmed attendees include U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania, Argentine President Javier Milei, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his wife Janja, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Prince William representing King Charles III. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and many European heads of state will also be present.

India will be represented by Tamil Nadu Minister for Minorities Welfare S.M. Nasar and DMK MLA Inigo S. Irudayaraj, attending on behalf of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend, citing his ongoing international legal constraints. The Dutch royal family also declined, citing national events.

Legacy of Compassion and Reform

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis was celebrated for his efforts to make the Church more inclusive, his advocacy for the poor, and his engagement in global social justice. From his appeals for peace in war-torn regions to his environmental advocacy and his calls for Church reform, Francis shaped a legacy of empathy and moral clarity.

The conclave to elect his successor is expected to begin no earlier than May 6. Cardinals have yet to convene for the decision, though names such as Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines and Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy have emerged as early favorites. Until then, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, oversees Vatican affairs during this period of “sede vacante.”

The passing of Pope Francis marks the end of a transformative era for the Catholic Church. As the world gathers to say goodbye, his memory will live on as a beacon of compassion, humility, and enduring faith.