The funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, was held in St Peter’s Square on Saturday at 10am, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, with more than 900 clergy members and global dignitaries in attendance.
It is now thought over 400,000 mourners (initially thought to be 200,000) visited St Peter’s Square in Vatican City to pay their final respects. After the 90-minute mass, his coffin was taken in a slow procession through central Rome before a private burial at Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, presided over by Cardinal Kevin Farrell. In a break from tradition, the Vatican released a full order of service which can be viewed here.
Among those most visible in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Saturday morning were Prince William, US President Donald Trump, his predecessor Joe Biden, Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and the French President Emmanuel Macron.
Their presence was widely seen as significant, coming at a delicate moment for global diplomacy.
Ahead of the service, President Trump was reported to have held talks with Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky.
The English-speaking Catholic community in Luxembourg will hold a series of masses this weekend to honour the late Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday aged 88. A special vigil and mass will take place on Saturday at 7.30pm at the Garden Chapel in the Courtyard of St Alphonse, coinciding with the pontiff’s funeral in Rome.
Two further masses for the repose of his soul will be held on Sunday at 11am at St Pie X in Belair and at 6.30pm at St Michel in Luxembourg-Ville, with prayers offered for the future leader of the Church.
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