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Pope Francis' funeral in pictures

The burial of the deceased pontiff has left historic images such as the meeting between Trump and Zelensky

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The Procession
The coffin procession passing in front of the Colosseum. Massimo Percossi / EFE
International
Pere Torderaand Núria Sala Ventura
26/04/2025
20 images

BarcelonaPope Francis left a written statement in his final wishes that he wanted an austere burial. But the ceremony was no less solemn. The funeral left impressive and historic images, such as the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who met in a room in St. Peter's Basilica.

The coffin seal
1 de 20 EFE
The coffin seal

The Cardinal Camerlengo sealed Pope Francis's coffin on Friday evening, so that it could later be displayed in the square during Mass.
The wait
2 de 20 Susana Vera / Reuters
The wait

Thousands of people spent the night in Sant Pere Square to attend the Pope's funeral mass.
The parishioners
3 de 20 Remo Casilli / Reuters
The parishioners

Nearly 150,000 people followed the funeral from Sant Pere Square.
The area of the leaders
4 de 20 Darek Delmanowicz / EFE
The area of the leaders

Seated in the dignitaries' bench were Prince William of England and the acting German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz.
Ecclesiastics
5 de 20 Dylan Martinez / Reuters
Ecclesiastics

The clergy sat in the pew opposite the dignitaries, from where they followed the Pope's funeral.
The conversation
6 de 20 EFE
The conversation

Before the funeral, US President Donald Trump met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, and held a "very productive" conversation. It was the first meeting between the two leaders since their ill-fated encounter at the White House in February.
Joe and Jill Biden
7 de 20 Remo Casilli / Reuters
Joe and Jill Biden

Among the authorities was former US President Joe Biden with his wife, Jill Biden.
Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron
8 de 20 Dylan Martinez / Reuters
Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron

French President and First Lady Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron sat in the front row with the other heads of state.
Javier Milei
9 de 20 Antonio Masiello / Getty
Javier Milei

One of the most anticipated faces was that of Argentine President Javier Milei. Despite sharing the same nationality as the late Pope, the two leaders shared opposing ideologies.
Trump, the only one who didn't wear black
10 de 20 Francisco Gómez / EFE
Trump, the only one who didn't wear black

Melania Trump and Queen Letizia wore head coverings, while Donald Trump was the only leader who did not wear black.
The carriers
11 de 20 Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters
The carriers

Vatican workers carried the coffin from Piazza Sant'Pere to the hearse that took it to the Basilica of Santa Maria Major.
The altar
12 de 20 Michael Kappeler / EP
The altar

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re officiated the ceremony from an altar located in the center of Piazza Sant Pere.
The coffin
13 de 20 Reuters
The coffin

Francis's coffin had a gospel on it, just as is done with popes.
The officiant
14 de 20 Guglielmo Mangiapane / Reuters
The officiant

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re officiated at Pope Francis' funeral Mass.
Heads of state
15 de 20 Ricciardo Antiamini / Efe
Heads of state

Vatican protocol has separated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from US President Donald Trump.
The cardinals
16 de 20 Dan Kitwood / Getty
The cardinals

At the Pope's funeral, the color red stands out. According to Christian liturgy, it symbolizes the blood of martyrdom and the power of the Holy Spirit, as well as referring to the virtue of charity. In the Holy See, it is used as the color of mourning for the funerals of a pope or a cardinal.
Commune
17 de 20 Hannah McKay / Reuters
Commune

Although the Pope's funeral was attended by many people, at the time of communion, those present received the host in an orderly manner and without queues.

The entourage
18 de 20 Emanuelle Valeri / Efe
The entourage

One of the most striking images of the funeral is the Pope's coffin passing through the Roman Colosseum.
The heads of the Eastern Churches
19 de 20 Fabio Frustaci / Efe
The heads of the Eastern Churches

The heads of the Eastern Churches bid farewell to the Pope at one point during the ceremony.
Flowers
20 de 20 Carlos Barria / Reuters
Flowers

A man waiting for the coffin to arrive at the Basilica of Santa Maria Major.
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