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.
A litany of saints was sung out during the funeral Mass for Pope Francis, a meditative chant that is part of the traditional rites.
It was followed by a blessing from Eastern rite Catholic churches chanted in Greek by patriarchs and priests. The pages of the New Testament placed atop the coffin fluttered in the wind as Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re blessed the coffin with incense and holy water.
As he headed to Rome, reporters aboard Air Force One asked President Trump why he felt it was important to go to Pope Francis' funeral.
"I just thought it was out of respect," he responded.
"You know, I won the Catholic vote," he added. "And I think it's the first time that ever happened where a Republican won the love."
"I won the Catholic vote and 56% of the vote. I don't know why we didn't get more," he said. "I don't know how they got it, but we ... did well with the Catholic vote and my relationship is very good. And so, therefore, you know, I think I think it's appropriate."
Prince William attended the funeral for Pope Francis on behalf of his father, King Charles III.
He stood side by side with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for a moment's silence in front of Pope Francis's sealed coffin.
William, dressed in a dark blue suit and black tie, walked through the ornate basilica and down the steps into St. Peter's Square, before shaking hands with a member of the clergy and being guided to his seat.
He is carrying out his most significant duty so far as heir to the throne. It is the first time the prince has represented the monarch at an international funeral.
The Holy Communion is being distributed among the cardinals at the funeral of Pope Francis.
After the cardinals receive the Holy Communion, they will then distribute it among the crowd throughout St. Peter's Square.
