World leaders, Nechirvan Barzani attend Pope Francis' funeral

VATICAN CITY,— Pope Francis was laid to rest Saturday in a ceremony marked by simplicity and solidarity with the marginalized, in keeping with his vision of the Church as a home for all. Leaders from around the world and ordinary believers alike turned out to say goodbye.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on April 21, 2025

The Vatican reported that about 250,000 mourners filled St. Peter’s Square for the funeral Mass, while another 150,000 gathered along the streets of central Rome, following the six-kilometer route to the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

Many cheered and waved as the pope’s unadorned wooden coffin passed by atop a modified popemobile.

At the basilica, migrants, prisoners, and homeless individuals awaited the cortege, clutching white roses. Once inside, the pallbearers moved the coffin past the beloved icon of the Virgin Mary, a symbol of Francis’ devotion. Children laid roses at the altar, and senior cardinals presided over the final burial rites in a niche near the main chapel.

“I am heartbroken,” said Mohammed Abdallah, a Sudanese migrant, standing outside the basilica. “Francis was a voice for the voiceless, for people like us.”

During the funeral Mass, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, praised Francis for his personal style and accessibility.

“He was truly a people’s pope,” Re said, noting Francis’ concern for the marginalized, shown during visits to conflict zones and refugee camps. The cardinal recalled the pontiff’s Mass along the U.S.-Mexico border and his visit to Lesbos, Greece, where he brought 12 refugees back to Rome.

Re emphasized that Francis’ papacy was defined by a belief in an inclusive Church: “a home with open doors for everyone.”

Despite the pope’s advocacy for the poor, his funeral attracted many high-profile figures. U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prince William, and other dignitaries from across Europe were in attendance.

Argentine President Javier Milei, despite strained relations with Francis, held a special place in the proceedings.

In an unusual moment, Trump and Zelensky met privately inside St. Peter’s Basilica, captured in a photograph that showed them seated closely together — a stark reminder of the international tensions Francis worked tirelessly to address.

Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, paid tribute to the pope, representing both Iraq and Kurdistan at the funeral.

On X, Barzani wrote, “It was a profound honor to pay respects to His Holiness Pope Francis in Vatican City today, on behalf of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. His call for peace, compassion, and unity will continue to inspire.”

Pope Francis’ 2021 visit to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region marked a milestone, as he became the first pontiff to travel to the country. Highlights of his trip included meetings with Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, a pilgrimage to Ur in southern Iraq, a visit to war-ravaged Mosul, and a Mass attended by thousands in Erbil.

Following the pope’s passing, Barzani expressed sorrow on X, calling him “a figure of humility, compassion, and remarkable moral leadership.”

(With files from AP | Agencies)