Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, was buried Saturday at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major after dying one week ago at 88 years old.
Francis, who took his name after Saint Francis of Assisi, was known for his outreach to the poor and those in poverty and that will be reflected in his minimalist burial at Saint Mary Major. He is the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in over a century and the first to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore in more than 300 years.
Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis with Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction during a phone call in January 2025. It was the only Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction that Biden had awarded at that time.
Former President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden arrive for the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
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"Pope Francis, your humility and your grace are beyond words, and your love for all is unparalleled," Biden posted on X. "As the People's Pope, you are a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world."
Apr 26, 2025, 4:29 AM EDT
Funeral of Pope Francis begins with choir singing an antiphon
As the funeral of Pope Francis begins, a choir can be heard singing an antiphon in Latin, a short verse which is traditionally sung or recited in Christian liturgical ritual.
Pallbearers carry the coffin into St. Petere's Square during the funeral of Pope Francis, April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.
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3:47
Pope Francis' coffin moved to St. Peter’s Square to applausePope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, will be buried Saturday at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major after dying one week ago at 88 years old.
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The book of the gospels lays on the coffin of late Pope Francis during the funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square in the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
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An open Book of the Gospels was then placed on top of Pope Francis’ coffin as the service started.
Apr 26, 2025, 4:13 AM EDT
Crowd applauds Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
A mostly calm crowd that has gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday morning broke out into applause when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared on the screens dotted around the square.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
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1:52
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy arrives to applause at Pope Francis' funeralApplause broke out at the Vatican as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived for the funeral of Pope Francis.
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Zelenskyy is sitting with many other world leaders and dignitaries who have made their way from around the world to say goodbye to Pope Francis.
Apr 26, 2025, 4:07 AM EDT
Pope Francis and Donald Trump clashed over the treatment of migrants
Even as President Donald Trump attends Pope Francis’ funeral, the two men clashed repeatedly, including as far back as Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, over how to treat migrants.
In 2016, Pope Francis criticized Trump over his pledge to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump arrive ahead of the late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at The Vatican, April 26, 2025.
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"A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian," Pope Francis said while on a trip to Mexico. "This is not in the gospel."
Trump responded at the time that he was "proud to be a Christian" and that "no leader, especially a religious leader, should have the right to question another man's religion or faith." He also suggested the Mexican government had used him as a "pawn" and convinced him to make the remarks.
This year, one day before Trump was inaugurated for his second term, Pope Francis commented on his plan to carry out mass deportations.
"If it is true, it will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing pay the bill for the imbalance. It won't do. This is not the way to solve things," he said.
