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Pope Francis has been laid to rest after a solemn ceremony in Rome. The funeral and procession were attended by more than 250,000 people. Many high-ranking church officials, royalty, heads of state, and foreign dignitaries paid their respects to the pontiff in the magnificent 16th-century St Peter's Basilica. The Vatican News website called the ceremony "moving, intense, and heartfelt". Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, aged 88, after serving as head of the Catholic Church for 12 years. Francis was the first Pope from South America. A Catholic Church cardinal said the outpouring of affection in the Vatican streets "tells us how much Pope Francis touched minds and hearts".
Pope Francis was a hugely popular pontiff. He was seen as a man who did his utmost to bring people together. Cardinal Re told mourners that the late Pope had a deep commitment to the plight of migrants and to world peace. Cardinal Re said Francis had constantly urged people to "build bridges, not walls". Francis was always outspoken in his criticism of war. He continually urged leaders to end conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and Myanmar. Francis will also be remembered for his calls for greater inclusivity. He gave his conditional blessing of same-sex couples. He also recognized transgender and LGBTQ+ issues, even though this brought criticism from conservatives.
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