Photos: Pope Francis is laid to rest and mourned around the world

NPR Staff | April 26, 2025

Pope Francis, who died Monday at the age of 88 after 12 years as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, was honored with a funeral Saturday morning in St. Peter’s Square in front of the Papal Basilica in Vatican City.

The Mass was presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, and attended by leaders from all over the world.

We take a look at the funeral and the people mourning him throughout the world today:

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried during the funeral Mass of Pope Francis.
The coffin of Pope Francis is carried during the funeral Mass of Pope Francis. (Kai Pfaffenbach | Reuters)
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old dean of the College of Cardinals, leads the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old dean of the College of Cardinals, leads the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (Yara Nardi | Reuters)
A photograph taken from St Peter Basilica shows a general view of late Pope Francis' coffin.
A photograph taken from St Peter Basilica shows a general view of late Pope Francis’ coffin. (Alberto Pizzoli | Getty Images)
Cardinals attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Cardinals attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Dan Kitwood | Getty Images)
Attendees and nuns stand in the street as they wait before late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony.
Attendees and nuns stand in the street as they wait before late Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony. (Jeff Pachoud | AFP via Getty Images)
A Swiss guard stands with St Peter's Basilica in the background at St Peter's Square ahead of late Pope Francis' funeral.
A Swiss guard stands with St Peter’s Basilica in the background at St Peter’s Square ahead of late Pope Francis’ funeral. (Alberto Pizzoli | AFP via Getty Images)
Two nuns look on as people gather during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square.
Two nuns look on as people gather during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. (Mario Tama | Getty Images)
Clergy take their seats for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.
Clergy take their seats for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (Markus Schreiber | AP)
President Trump walks, on the day of the funeral Mass of Pope Francis.
President Trump walks, on the day of the funeral Mass of Pope Francis. (Nathan Howard | Reuters)
People gather during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square.
People gather during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. (Mario Tama | Getty Images)
Nuns share a laugh as people gather for the funeral of Pope Francis.
Nuns share a laugh as people gather for the funeral of Pope Francis. (Andreea Alexandru | AP)
Faithful rest on the ground ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.
Faithful rest on the ground ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (Andrew Medichini | AP)
Former President Biden speaks with attendees as he arrives ahead of the late Pope Francis' funeral.
Former President Biden speaks with attendees as he arrives ahead of the late Pope Francis’ funeral. (Mandel Ngan | AFP via Getty Images)
The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral.
The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter’s Square for his funeral. (Gregorio Borgia | AP)
Pope Francis' funeral ceremony is seen in Saint Peter's Square, in Vatican City
Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony is seen in Saint Peter’s Square, in Vatican City (Fabio Frustaci | ZUMA Press via Reuters)
Heads of State and other dignitaries stand during the funeral of Pope Francis.
Heads of State and other dignitaries stand during the funeral of Pope Francis. (Markus Schreiber | AP)
Nuns wait in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Pope Francis is laid to rest in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Nuns wait in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Pope Francis is laid to rest in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. (Christoph Reichwein | Getty Images)
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive ahead of the late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive ahead of the late Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony (Tiziana Fabi | AFP via Getty Images)

 

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