Pope Francis has been buried after a ceremony in Rome. More than 250,000 people attended his funeral and procession. High-ranking church officials, royalty, heads of state, and foreign dignitaries paid their respects in the 16th-century St Peter's Basilica. The Vatican News website called the ceremony "moving, intense, and heartfelt". Pope Francis died last Monday, aged 88. He was head of the Catholic Church for 12 years. He was the first Pope from South America. A Church official said the outpouring of affection "tells us how much Pope Francis touched minds and hearts".
Pope Francis was a very popular Pope. He did his utmost to bring people together. The Church official told mourners that the late Pope cared deeply about the plight of migrants and about world peace. Francis had constantly urged people to "build bridges, not walls". Francis continually urged leaders to end conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and Myanmar. Francis will also be remembered for supporting greater inclusivity for same-sex couples and transgender people. His views on LGBTQ+ issues often brought criticism from conservatives in the Church.
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Sources- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8x8w4xk1gno
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/26/pilgrims-powerful-come-together-pope-francis-funeral
- https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/the-farewell-to-pope-francis-and-gospel-pages-turning-in-wind.html
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