An extraordinary assembly of world leaders, dignitaries, and thousands of mourners convened on Saturday to bid farewell to Pope Francis, who was laid to rest at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The solemn ceremony drew Heads of State, royalty, and religious leaders from around the globe. Among those present were United States President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter.

Also in attendance were Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife, Olena; Irish President Michael D. Higgins; Uganda’s Deputy Speaker Tomas Tayebwa; and Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

Argentina, Pope Francis’ homeland, along with Italy, was granted front-row seating, followed by other dignitaries arranged alphabetically in French — the traditional diplomatic language — in accordance with protocol.

Pope Francis, spiritual leader to 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke, following recent recovery from respiratory illnesses. Just a day before his death, he had delighted crowds with an impromptu drive through St. Peter’s Square.

Known for his humility and advocacy for the marginalized, Pope Francis’ 12-year tenure as Pontiff was marked by profound reforms and outreach efforts, earning him the title, “The People’s Pope.”

During the funeral Mass, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, led the service, commending Pope Francis as “a shepherd with an open heart, deeply committed to those in need.”

The simple wooden coffin, adorned with a large cross, was carried into the Basilica amidst the tolling of bells and thunderous applause. Following the liturgy, the coffin was placed atop an open-air popemobile, escorted through Rome’s streets by a motorcade as thousands of mourners lined the roads, waving and applauding.

The cortege proceeded approximately 2.5 miles to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where Pope Francis was laid to rest in a private ceremony.

Amid the funeral proceedings, President Trump and President Zelensky briefly met privately, according to White House Communications Director, Steve Cheung. Their conversation was described as “very productive,” with indications of further meetings later in the day. This marked their first interaction since a tense Oval Office exchange in February regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Pope Francis’ final journey through Rome was a poignant tribute to a life spent in service to humanity, ending an era of transformative leadership within the Catholic Church.