NEW YORK (WABC) -- World dignitaries and Catholic faithful attended Pope Francis' funeral in St. Peter's Square on Saturday.
Despite the presence of presidents and princes, prisoners and migrants ushered him into the basilica where he will be buried, reflecting his priorities as pope, as hundreds of thousands have flocked to the funeral Mass.
U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, the U.N. chief and European Union leaders, as well as Prince William and the Spanish royal family, were in attendance.
Francis is breaking with recent tradition to be buried in the St. Mary Major Basilica in a simple underground tomb with just his name: Franciscus.
Argentinian-born Jorge Mario Bergoglio became the Catholic Church's 266th pope and the first ever from Latin America. He took the name Francis after the well-known St. Francis of Assisi, who ministered to the poor.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke, setting off mourning in the Catholic world and days of ritual at the Vatican.
Former Pres. Biden and former first lady Dr. Jill Biden arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square.
He is only the second Catholic president ever and a great admirer of Pope Francis, whom he met twice as sitting president: in October 2021 and June 2024.
Pope Francis chose his place of burial in St. Mary Major Basilica, near an icon of the Madonna that he revered, because it reflects his "humble, simple and essential'' life, the archbishop who administers the basilica said Friday.
Francis, who died Monday at age 88, will be buried in a niche tomb in the basilica on Saturday after his funeral in St. Peter's Square about 4 kilometers (2 miles) away.
Francis initially demurred when Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas suggested in May 2022 that he choose St. Mary Major as his last resting place. Makrickas had identified it because of the pontiff's long association with the basilica, its ties to Francis' Jesuit order, its artistic and spiritual heritage and links to the papacy. Seven other popes are buried there, but none since 1669.
At first, "he said no because popes are buried in St. Peter's," Makrickas told reporters on the steps of the basilica. "After a week, he called me to (his home at the Vatican) Santa Marta and he said 'Prepare my tomb.'"
The pope later insisted that his tomb remain simple, stressing that people should still come to the basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary "to venerate the Madonna, not to see the tomb of a pope," Makrickas said.
Pope Francis, who led the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years, died on Monday morning at the age of 88.
Francis' life and time as pope, which was noted for humility and outreach efforts to people of disparate backgrounds and faiths, will be remembered during a funeral service taking place on Saturday, the Vatican said.
Click here for what to know about Francis' funeral and how to tune in.
Final preparations are underway ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis.
Security is heightened across Rome, and more than 50 world leaders are expected to attend.
President Donald Trump will head to Rome later Friday morning.
The public viewing continued.
Thousands more people are expected to walk past the pope's body at Saint Peter's Basilica on Friday before his coffin is closed.
