Pope Francis funeral updates: Pope Francis laid to rest after historic funeral in front of 250,000

Francis died on April 26 at 88 years old.

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Last updated: Saturday, April 26, 2025 12:00PM GMT
Pope Francis laid to rest after historic funeral in front of 250,000
Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, was remembered Saturday during a historic funeral ceremony.

Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, was buried Saturday, April 26 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.

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Apr 26, 2025, 7:34 AM

Photos show the funeral for Pope Francis

Tap on the blue circle to take a look at photos from the funeral for Pope Francis.

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The coffin of Pope Francis arrives at St. Mary Major Basilica for his burial ceremony, in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025.
AP Photo/Antonietta Baldassarre
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Apr 28, 2025, 10:14 PM GMT

Breeze blows pages of Book of Gospels

It is one of the most poignant and iconic moments in papal funerals: the simple yet profound image of the breeze blowing the pages of the Book of the Gospels resting on top of the pope's coffin.

A page of the book of the gospels reading "In the Passion and death of the Lord" is seen on the coffin of late Pope Francis at St Peter's Square in the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
A page of the book of the gospels reading "In the Passion and death of the Lord" is seen on the coffin of late Pope Francis at St Peter's Square in the Vatican, April 26, 2025.

The book was opened to the reading, "In the Passion and death of the Lord."

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Apr 28, 2025, 10:14 PM GMT

Crowds applaud as pope's casket carried out of St. Peter's Square

Pope Francis' funeral Mass has ended, and cardinals have filed back into St. Peter's Basilica.

The crowd applauded as white-gloved pallbearers lifted the pope's coffin to bring it back inside the basilica. From there, it will be moved to the popemobile to make its way across Rome to Francis' burial place in St. Mary Major.

The crowd applauded as white-gloved pallbearers lifted Pope Francis' coffin to bring it back inside the basilica.

"They would help him around and help him with visitors and now they're helping him to his final resting place."

ByPhoebe Natanson ABCNews logo
Apr 28, 2025, 10:14 PM GMT

More than 250,000 in Vatican

The Vatican is now reporting that the number of people present as Francis' funeral nears its end is more than 250,000.

Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re, top second from left, presides over the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025.
Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re, top second from left, presides over the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025.

The Vatican earlier released a brief statement reporting a crowd of 200,000.

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Apr 28, 2025, 10:14 PM GMT

Meditative chant is sung at funeral Mass

A litany of saints was sung out during the funeral Mass for Pope Francis, a meditative chant that is part of the traditional rites.

It was followed by a blessing from Eastern rite Catholic churches chanted in Greek by patriarchs and priests. The pages of the New Testament placed atop the coffin fluttered in the wind as Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re blessed the coffin with incense and holy water.