Pope Francis laid to rest after historic funeral | Eyewitness News updates

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Last updated: Saturday, April 26, 2025 8:49PM GMT
Pope Francis laid to rest in historic funeral amongst world dignitaries, Catholic faithful

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.

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The coffin of Pope Francis arrives at St. Mary Major Basilica for his burial ceremony, in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025.
AP Photo/Antonietta Baldassarre

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Apr 28, 2025, 10:14 PM GMT

Crowds applaud as pope's casket carried out of St. Peter's Square

Pope Francis' funeral Mass has ended, and cardinals have filed back into St. Peter's Basilica.

The crowd applauded as white-gloved pallbearers lifted the pope's coffin to bring it back inside the basilica. From there, it will be moved to the popemobile to make its way across Rome to Francis' burial place in St. Mary Major.

The crowd applauded as white-gloved pallbearers lifted Pope Francis' coffin to bring it back inside the basilica.

"They would help him around and help him with visitors and now they're helping him to his final resting place."

ByPhoebe Natanson ABCNews logo
Apr 28, 2025, 10:14 PM GMT

More than 250,000 in Vatican

The Vatican is now reporting that the number of people present as Francis' funeral nears its end is more than 250,000.

Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re, top second from left, presides over the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025.
Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re, top second from left, presides over the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025.

The Vatican earlier released a brief statement reporting a crowd of 200,000.

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Apr 28, 2025, 10:14 PM GMT

Meditative chant is sung at funeral Mass

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.

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Apr 28, 2025, 10:14 PM GMT

Trump says attending pope's funeral 'out of respect'

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.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025.

"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."