26th April , 2025
The Catholic world and millions of admirers around the globe bid an emotional farewell to Pope Francis on Saturday, as he was laid to rest at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, his beloved church in Rome.
The funeral service, which lasted two hours at St. Peter’s Square, drew an overwhelming crowd of over 250,000 mourners, with thousands more lining the streets of central Rome to pay their final respects. Italian authorities estimated that nearly 400,000 people participated in the historic farewell.
“Today, we say goodbye to a shepherd who carried the weight of the world with humility and compassion,” one mourner was quoted as saying during the procession.
The late pontiff, who passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, was revered not just for his religious leadership but also for his firm stand on issues such as poverty, peace, and human dignity.
In a solemn procession, Pope Francis’ coffin was carried through Rome’s historic landmarks, including the ancient Forum and the iconic Colosseum. An old popemobile transported the coffin, escorted by police motorbikes and vehicles, symbolizing the pope’s lifelong simplicity even in death.
Leaders and dignitaries from across the world gathered at St. Peter’s Square to pay tribute to a man described as “a bridge builder between nations and faiths.”
“It is the end of an era,” an Italian priest remarked. “Pope Francis reminded us of the power of love, mercy, and dialogue at a time the world needed it most.”
The basilica where he was finally laid to rest holds special significance, having been a personal sanctuary for Pope Francis throughout his papacy. His burial there fulfills his long-standing wish to remain close to the people of Rome even after death.
Nigerians, particularly the Catholic faithful, joined the rest of the world in mourning a pope whose messages of peace, justice, and simplicity resonated deeply across continents.
