The World bids Final Farewell to Pope Francis – Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and other World Leaders in attendance to pay their Last Respect

Today, the world came together to say goodbye to one of the most transformative figures in modern history — Pope Francis. Under the bright Roman sky, thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, while millions more tuned in from around the world, witnessing a farewell both grand in scale and deeply personal in spirit.

The funeral was attended by an extraordinary assembly of global leaders. U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Prince William representing the British royal family were among the dignitaries present. Their presence — alongside leaders from Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Africa, Asia, and beyond — spoke volumes about Pope Francis’s global influence that transcended politics, religion, and borders.

Notably, the seating of President Trump and President Zelensky side by side captured a powerful image of unity during these fractured times — a reflection of the Pope’s lifelong mission to bridge divides and heal wounds.

The funeral Mass, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, mirrored the humility and inclusiveness Pope Francis championed throughout his life. In a poignant break from tradition, the Pope’s coffin was received not by royalty or high-ranking officials, but by the poor and marginalized — those he often called the “heart of the Church.” This simple, yet powerful gesture underscored the enduring message of Francis’s papacy: that the last shall be first.

Following the Mass, Pope Francis was laid to rest at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome — a historic departure from the traditional burial site of popes within St. Peter’s Basilica. This choice was deeply symbolic, echoing his commitment to simplicity, accessibility, and devotion to the people.

The atmosphere throughout the ceremony was both somber and hopeful. Mourners wept openly, others prayed silently, and many held white and yellow Vatican flags fluttering gently in the breeze. Chants of “Viva il Papa!” (“Long live the Pope!”) filled the square as the coffin made its final journey.

Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88, leaves behind a legacy defined by compassion, humility, and fearless advocacy for social justice. Throughout his papacy, he emphasized mercy over judgment, compassion over condemnation, and dialogue over division. His voice on issues like climate change, immigration, poverty, and peace resonated far beyond the walls of the Vatican.

As the conclave to elect his successor approaches, the Catholic Church — and indeed the world — reflects on the profound legacy he leaves behind. Pope Francis was not just a spiritual leader to 1.3 billion Catholics; he was a moral compass in an often turbulent world.

Today, the world mourns, but it also celebrates a life of service, love, and hope. Pope Francis may have departed from this earth, but his spirit — and his call for a more just, compassionate world — endures.