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Rabat – World leaders, royalty, and thousands of loyal Catholics gathered in the Vatican on Saturday morning for the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88.
The ceremony took place at St. Peter’s Basilica, where emotional crowds filled the square to honor the beloved “Pope of the Poor.”
Among those attending was the head of the Moroccan government Aziz Akhannouch, who arrived in Rome on Friday evening to represent King Mohammed VI. He was welcomed at Ciampino Military Airport by Rajae Naji Mekkaoui, Morocco’s Ambassador to the Vatican, Youssef Bella, Morocco’s Ambassador to Rome, and a senior representative of the Vatican.
As the Pope’s coffin was carried into St. Peter’s Square, it was met with warm, yet somber, applause. The bells of the basilica rang out in mourning before the ceremony began.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re led the funeral mass. In his sermon, he said, “The Pope was close to the people, with an open heart for everyone.”
Many people had been waiting since dawn to attend the service, some waving their country’s flags or holding pictures of the Pope.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis was known for his humility and strong defense of the poor and marginalized, as he touched the hearts of millions around the world.
Over 160 delegations were present, including United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and US President Donald Trump.
Leaders from Latin America, such as Argentina’s President Javier Milei and Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, also paid their respects, along with royal figures like King Philippe of Belgium, King Felipe VI of Spain, and King Abdullah II of Jordan.
Following the funeral, Pope Francis’s coffin was taken to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he will be laid to rest. His simple marble tomb will be marked with the name “Franciscus” – in Latin.
In the coming weeks, 135 cardinals under the age of 80 will gather in the Sistine Chapel to choose a new pope.
