Poignant Moments at the Pope Francis Funeral Mass | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Poignant Moments at the Pope Francis Funeral Mass
Poignant Moments at the Pope Francis Funeral Mass
Iya Baring
Published Apr 27, 2025 08:00 AM PHT
|
Updated Apr 28, 2025 03:32 PM PHT

Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio), the first Jesuit and Latin American pope has been laid to rest in a solemn and poignant ceremony last April 26.
It brought back images from his last public appearance at the Vatican on Easter Sunday, April 20—after which he had passed away at age 88. He will be forever remembered for his legacy of kindness, modesty, and change, leaving behind his remarkable journey in the modern Church.
Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio), the first Jesuit and Latin American pope has been laid to rest in a solemn and poignant ceremony last April 26.
It brought back images from his last public appearance at the Vatican on Easter Sunday, April 20—after which he had passed away at age 88. He will be forever remembered for his legacy of kindness, modesty, and change, leaving behind his remarkable journey in the modern Church.
As the nation bids farewell to Pope Francis, here are some poignant and memorable details at his funeral mass:
As the nation bids farewell to Pope Francis, here are some poignant and memorable details at his funeral mass:
Pope Francis' place of eternal rest
The solemn ceremony for the late Pope Francis drew over 400,000 attendees, lining up the streets around St. Peter's Basilica. His coffin was placed in Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, where he was laid to rest in the ornate basilica, located at the highest point of the Italian capital.
Pope Francis' place of eternal rest
The solemn ceremony for the late Pope Francis drew over 400,000 attendees, lining up the streets around St. Peter's Basilica. His coffin was placed in Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, where he was laid to rest in the ornate basilica, located at the highest point of the Italian capital.
Photo source: ABS-CBN News | Marco Bertorello, AFP

A solemn funeral service for the late pontiff
The funeral, held in St. Peter's Square and lasting approximately two hours, featured an intricate assortment of rituals. It occurred six days after the inaugural Latin American pope had his last public appearance for Easter at the same location.
The funeral, held in St. Peter's Square and lasting approximately two hours, featured an intricate assortment of rituals. It occurred six days after the inaugural Latin American pope had his last public appearance for Easter at the same location.
ADVERTISEMENT
World leaders of different beliefs and political affiliations came together for the Pope
Among those present were 130 delegations, including world leaders and reigning monarchs. Among the world leaders in the front row were US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Among those present were 130 delegations, including world leaders and reigning monarchs. Among the world leaders in the front row were US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Likewise, the list had world leaders from across the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific, and South Africa—including Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
Likewise, the list had world leaders from across the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific, and South Africa—including Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
Photo source: ABS-CBN News | Mandel Ngan, AFP

Homily for Pope Francis resembled the late pontiff's criticism of President Trump
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re officiated the mass in front of the coffin during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re officiated the mass in front of the coffin during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.
Photo source: ABS-CBN News | Andreas Solaro, AFP

He serves as the dean of the College of Cardinals. His statement in his homily for Pope Francis includes the former pontiff's strong criticism of US President Donald Trump.
He serves as the dean of the College of Cardinals. His statement in his homily for Pope Francis includes the former pontiff's strong criticism of US President Donald Trump.
“’Build bridges, not walls’ was an exhortation (Francis) repeated many times, and his service of faith as Successor of the Apostle Peter always was linked to the service of humanity in all its dimensions,” Re mentioned toward the conclusion of the homily, with Trump in the audience filled with global leaders who were listening intently.
“’Build bridges, not walls’ was an exhortation (Francis) repeated many times, and his service of faith as Successor of the Apostle Peter always was linked to the service of humanity in all its dimensions,” Re mentioned toward the conclusion of the homily, with Trump in the audience filled with global leaders who were listening intently.
ADVERTISEMENT
It can be remembered that Francis spoke out against walls on several occasions, calling Trump’s plans for a wall on the US-Mexico border “not Christian” in February 2016. “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. This is not the gospel,” Francis told journalists on Trump’s proposals to halt illegal immigration into the US.
It can be remembered that Francis spoke out against walls on several occasions, calling Trump’s plans for a wall on the US-Mexico border “not Christian” in February 2016. “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. This is not the gospel,” Francis told journalists on Trump’s proposals to halt illegal immigration into the US.
A symbolic meeting of two leaders
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump talked as they attended the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump talked as they attended the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his meeting with US President Donald Trump in St. Peter’s Basilica was “symbolic.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his meeting with US President Donald Trump in St. Peter’s Basilica was “symbolic.”
“Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results,” Zelensky said.
“Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results,” Zelensky said.
The meeting inside the basilica came just before Pope Francis’ funeral began in St. Peter’s Square and did not appear to have been telegraphed in advance. White House officials said the meeting lasted around 15 minutes and was “very productive.”
--
Even in death, it seems as if the Pope still continues his wish to unite the world's nations. May he rest in peace.
The meeting inside the basilica came just before Pope Francis’ funeral began in St. Peter’s Square and did not appear to have been telegraphed in advance. White House officials said the meeting lasted around 15 minutes and was “very productive.”
--
Even in death, it seems as if the Pope still continues his wish to unite the world's nations. May he rest in peace.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT