Global tributes pour in for Pope ‘Franciscus’ as St. Peter’s Square prepares for historic funeral

The beloved pontiff, who was the first pope of South American origin, passed away on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke. His death sparked a wave of global mourning and tributes, including from U.S. President Donald Trump, despite their well-known ideological clashes—particularly over immigration policy, which Francis had fiercely criticized.

President Trump arrived in Rome late Friday evening at approximately 9:00 pm GMT, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump. There is speculation that he may hold brief bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the funeral, including a possible meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has publicly opposed his recent decision to raise tariffs on European goods.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also arrived in Rome early Saturday to pay his respects at the funeral, though it remains unclear whether he will meet with his American counterpart during his visit.

The funeral Mass is scheduled to commence at 8:00 AM GMT on Saturday, in the iconic St. Peter’s Square, directly in front of the basilica. The ceremony will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. To accommodate the large crowds, giant video screens have been installed along the Via della Conciliazione, the grand boulevard leading from the Vatican to the Tiber River, allowing thousands to witness the historic event.

Throughout the week, over 250,000 faithful from around the world waited for hours in long queues to pay their final respects as Pope Francis lay in state inside St. Peter’s Basilica. The overwhelming turnout prompted the Vatican to keep the basilica open late into the night to accommodate the mourners. Among them was Sofia Bobkova, a 19-year-old pilgrim from Kyrgyzstan, who shared her admiration: “The Pope cared about many people who were previously marginalized,” she told AFP.

Francis, elected to the papacy in 2013, earned admiration both within and beyond the Catholic Church for his commitment to peace, support for migrants, and solidarity with the disenfranchised. His humble demeanor, compassionate nature, and candid speech—sometimes controversial—won him affection from millions, including many non-Catholics. He came to be viewed as a moral voice amid growing global turbulence.

On Friday evening, the Pope’s coffin was ceremonially sealed in a private rite led by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, an American who will serve as interim administrator of the Holy See until a new pope is elected. The conclave, the assembly of cardinals tasked with choosing Francis’s successor, has yet to be scheduled, but is expected to begin on May 5.
Thousands of chairs have been arranged in the square to accommodate 224 cardinals, more than 750 bishops and priests, and representatives from other faiths, in a reflection of the late pontiff’s deep commitment to interreligious dialogue.

Notable international attendees include UN Secretary-General António Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Russia is represented by Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova, in place of President Vladimir Putin, who faces an international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

From South America, Argentine President Javier Milei and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva—both representing the Pope’s region of origin—are attending. Royal attendees include King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan, King Letsie III of Lesotho, and Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco.

Security measures for the event are extensive. Italian and Vatican police are heavily deployed, with security screenings, surveillance of all entrances, and the installation of X-ray scanners. A no-fly zone has been declared over Rome, and anti-drone units equipped with signal-jamming devices have been activated. Military jets are on standby, and snipers are positioned atop rooftops throughout the Vatican perimeter.

Following the Mass, the Pope’s coffin will be transported to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a historic church on the other side of the Tiber River, where he chose to be buried. The fifth-century basilica, which houses the remains of several former popes, was a place of personal devotion for Francis, who often visited to pray before and after international trips. His simple marble tomb, near the altar, will bear only the Latin inscription: “Franciscus.”