More than 250,000 people turned out to bid farewell to the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The crowd at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican included many young people and world leaders, giving us some important snapshots of our political moment.

Here are some key moments from the historic event:

Francis remembered as ‘pope among the people’

At his funeral, Pope Francis was remembered and venerated as a pontiff with “strength and serenity” who modeled his pontificate on St. Francis of Assisi. The dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, delivered the homily in front of mourners in St. Peter’s Square.

“He established direct contact with individuals and peoples, eager to be close to everyone, with a marked attention to those in difficulty, giving himself without measure, especially to the marginalized, the least among us,” Re said.

“He was a Pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone. He was also a Pope attentive to the signs of the times and what the Holy Spirit was awakening in the Church.”

Young people play a prominent role in Pope Francis’ funeral

Pope Francis’ outreach resonated with the younger generations, thousands of whom were present in St. Peter’s Square to mourn the late pontiff during his funeral on Saturday morning.

About 80,000 teenagers had registered for the Jubilee of Teenagers, a special event for worshippers between the ages of 12 and 17 during the Catholic Church’s Jubilee year of 2025, according to the Dicastery for Evangelization, a department of the Roman Curia — the central governing body of the Catholic Church.

Some changes were made to the event, scheduled for Friday and Sunday, due to Francis’ death. The canonization of Carlo Acutis, who died in 2006 at the age of 15 from leukemia, was postponed. Acutis, an Italian teen known for his devotion to the Eucharist, is set to become the first “millennial” saint upon his canonization, which was formally approved by Francis in July 2024.

The mourners assembled in St. Peter’s Square broke into applause as pallbearers carried the pope’s coffin outside. It was the site of Pope Francis’ last official act, when he celebrated Easter Sunday a day before he died on April 21.

American reporter delivers 1st reading

Some young adults even played a prominent role in the funeral proceedings. American Kielce Gussie, 28, did the first reading in English — several verses from the Acts of the Apostles.

Gussie works as a journalist at Vatican News and completed her undergraduate degree in theology at Mount St. Mary’s University. She also has a licentiate degree in church communication from Rome’s Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.

Crowd applauds Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in attendance with his wife Olena Zelenska, earned applause from the crowd in St. Peter’s Square appeared on the screens around the area.

Zelenskyy has led Ukraine during the country’s war with Russia, which escalated in 2022 after the Russian invasion of the Eastern European country.

President Donald Trump met privately with Zelenskyy prior to the funeral and had a “very productive session,” White House Communications Director Steven Cheung told the press pool traveling with Trump.

It was the first meeting between the two men since their contentious February meeting in the Oval Office, in which Trump and Vice President JD Vance rebuked Zelenskyy for his handling of the war.

First lady Melania Trump joined the president at the funeral. Former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden attended the funeral as well, sitting about four rows behind the Trumps.

Pages of the Book of Gospels blow in the wind

It is one of the most poignant and iconic moments in papal funerals: the simple yet profound image of the breeze blowing the pages of the Book of the Gospels resting on top of the pope’s coffin in St. Peter’s Square.

Pages of the Book of Gospels blow in the wind

It is one of the most poignant and iconic moments in papal funerals: the simple yet profound image of the breeze blowing the pages of the Book of the Gospels resting on top of the pope’s coffin in St. Peter’s Square.

Francis’ coffin was placed in the bed of a white pickup truck, where it was visible to the thousands lining the streets. The procession took the pope’s body past some of Rome’s historical landmarks, such as the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.

When Pope Francis arrived at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, it was the last time he was seen in public before his burial. The basilica will reopen to visitors again on Sunday.

A group of religious leaders, academics and economists pay tribute to Pope Francis, highlighting his call for an economy that prioritises human dignity and ecological responsibility. They propose debt conversion initiatives as a practical way to balance global inequalities and advance his vision of fraternity and sustainable development.

By Helen Alford, Alfonso Apicella, Leonardo Becchetti, Giulio Guarini, Riccardo Moro, Gianni Vaggi*

Today, the world and its leaders pay tribute to a pontiff—Pope Francis—who tirelessly preached and reminded us, even to the point of exhaustion, to view history from the perspective of the least and the marginalised. He warned that “this economy” can kill and that markets alone are insufficient.

Pope Francis consistently emphasised that an economy that kills ultimately risks self-destruction through a spiral of financial, debt, and social crises, compounded by the climate emergency. His reflections and warnings deserve serious attention—not only for ethical and moral reasons but also for the broader pursuit of the common good and the search for solutions that prevent further dramatic events and safeguard the survival of the planet and the fabric of human coexistence.

If those who honour him today truly wish to carry forward his spiritual legacy, they could begin by seizing the opportunity of the Jubilee to fulfil one of his major hopes:

Using this moment to establish mechanisms of compensation between the “ecological debt” of wealthy countries and the foreign debt of poorer nations, a burden that has become increasingly unsustainable, worsened by the current global macroeconomic environment of high interest rates and the unequal treatment of debtor nations.

It is a reality that, in many low- and middle-income countries today, debt servicing consumes more resources than investments in health and education, condemning large segments of the new generations to persistent poverty.

The concept of ecological debt, introduced by Pope Francis in Laudato Si’, asserts that historically, wealthy countries have consumed a disproportionately large share of the “right to pollute” without compensating poorer countries, which have contributed far less to global pollution but suffer its consequences.

Following Pope Francis’s practical approach, we propose combining this ethical vision with actionable steps by promoting debt conversion initiatives focused on ecological transition investments. Although partial, such initiatives can significantly ease the debt burden for debtor nations while also serving the interests of creditor countries for at least four reasons:

1. Combating global warming through emission mitigation is a global public good that requires the efforts of all, including low- and middle-income countries.
2. Investments in climate adaptation in debtor countries—often located in the areas most affected by the climate emergency—are essential to reducing the risk of insolvency
3. The climate crisis is making the balance between resources and population unsustainable in many of these countries, fueling climate migration that risks creating even greater and harder-to-manage flows at the doors of high-income countries and within the poorer ones.
4. Debt crises always lead to political instability, both nationally and globally.

Converting part of debt and interest payments into a guarantee fund for mitigation and adaptation projects, such as initiatives to fight energy poverty and build renewable energy facilities with public involvement, would thus serve the dual purpose of promoting ecological transition and reducing poverty in debtor nations.

Without entering into the technical details of implementation, such an initiative, if carried out with the active engagement of governments, civil society, and local communities, could also generate broader benefits, especially for the most vulnerable countries unable to service their debt. It could attract additional financing from regional development banks and leverage the reallocation of Special Drawing Rights pledged by some creditor countries for global development initiatives.

Pope Francis’s spiritual legacy begins with a theological, pastoral, and anthropological commitment to safeguarding the dignity of every person. In his later years, notably with Fratelli Tutti, he emphasised the theme of lost fraternity—the essential bond whose absence renders freedom and the pursuit of equality ineffective.

Conflicts between regions and nations, economic rivalries, and the pursuit of power generate crises and violence that damage human relationships.

The necessary response is to nurture the planet with relational intelligence, strengthening personal and institutional human relationships.

Drawing on Pope Francis’s legacy, we are invited to take a step forward on this journey.

Editorial Director of Vatican News Andrea Tornielli, offers his reflections on the final embrace of Pope Francis from the ends of the earth at his Requiem Mass in St. Peter’s Square.

By Andrea Tornielli

Twenty years ago on April 8, 2005, Karol Wojtyła, Pope St. John Paul II, passed away on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday. On the eve of the same Sunday, thousands bid a final farewell to Jorge Mario Bergoglio two decades later.

St. Peter’s Square was marked by the image of a simple wooden coffin with the book of the Gospel open on top, as its pages slowly turned in the wind.

The funeral Mass for Pope Francis was moving, intense, and heartfelt. The people of God, who had embraced him on Easter Sunday without knowing it would be the last time, accompanied him on the final leg of his earthly journey six days later.

The courtyard in front of St. Peter’s Square was filled not only with heads of state and dignitaries but also many young people, who had planned to visit for the Jubilee of Teenagers.

Many representatives of other Christian denominations and various religions also came together on the steps of the papal basilica. All were united in bidding farewell to a shepherd who was faithful to the Gospel and who never ceased preaching fraternity and, even from his hospital bed, called for an end to war.

Two passages in particular from Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re’s homily were met with applause.

First, he reiterated that the guiding thread of Pope Francis’s mission was “the conviction that the Church is a home for all; a home with doors always open.”

During the last World Youth Day in Lisbon, the Pope exclaimed, “Everyone, everyone, everyone.” With these words, he explained that nothing and no one can separate us from the love of God, who is always waiting with open arms to embrace us, no matter who we are.

The Holy Father sought to build a Church with open doors, prioritizing the last, the poor, and the humble. It was precisely them who welcomed him at the threshold of the Basilica of St. Mary Major before he was laid to rest near one of his great devotions: Mary Salus Populi Romani.

The thousands of pilgrims gathered at the funeral Mass also applauded Cardinal Re’s reflection on the Pope’s tireless plea for peace.

They cheered the memory of the Holy Father’s invitation to reason and “honest negotiations to find possible solutions, because war,” he said, “is only the death of people, the destruction of homes, the destruction of hospitals and schools. War always leaves—this is his expression—the world worse than it was before: it is always a painful and tragic defeat for all.”

Before the Mass began, the American and Ukrainian presidents met for a few minutes. We hope and pray that something positive may come from these exchanges—the final conversation for peace fostered by the Successor of Peter, who was the first to take the name of the Saint of Assisi, the saint of peace.

After Pope Francis’ burial in the Basilica of St Mary Major, Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, the Basilica’s Coadjutor Archpriest, leads mourners in a recitation of the Rosary.

By Vatican News

On Saturday evening, at 9pm Rome time, Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas presided over a recitation of the Rosary in suffrage of Pope Francis.

The Cardinal, who is Coadjutor Archpriest of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where the Pope has now been buried, introduced the prayer with the following words:

“Today, with his arrival in the Basilica, our beloved Pope Francis completed his final journey. He passed through the streets of Rome and the numerous faithful paid their last respects and expressed all their affection. In our hearts we keep alive the memory of all his fruitful ministry in and for the Church. The Church he loved and served until his last breath. From today, he rests in this Marian shrine, so dear to him, under the loving gaze of his Mother, here venerated under the title of Salus Populi Romani. We pray that the light of your Risen Son might grant him the reward promised to faithful servants. Help of Christians, pray for us.”

The Deed for the Pious Passing of His Holiness Pope Francis has been placed in his coffin, which was sealed in a solemn rite ahead of his Requiem Mass.

By Vatican News

The coffin of the late Pope Francis was sealed in a ritual in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday evening, after around 250,000 pilgrims had paid their respects to the Argentine-born Pope.

As per tradition, the Pope’s pallium, coins, and medals minted during his pontificate, as well as a “Rogito” or Deed summarizing his life and papacy, were also placed inside the coffin.

Ahead of the Requiem Mass, the Holy See Press Office published the full text of the Deed, written in Latin and sealed inside a metal cylinder.

English translation o the Deed follows:

DEED FOR THE PIOUS PASSING
OF HIS HOLINESS FRANCIS
DEATH, INTERMENT, AND ENTOMBMENT
OF FRANCIS OF BLESSED MEMORY

With us, pilgrims of hope, guide and companion on the journey toward the great goal to which we are called—Heaven—the 21st day of April in the Holy Year 2025, at 7:35 in the morning, while the light of Easter illumined the second day of the Octave, Easter Monday, the beloved Shepherd of the Church, Francis, passed from this world to the Father. The entire Christian Community, especially the poor, gave praise to God for the gift of his service rendered with courage and faithfulness to the Gospel and to the mystical Bride of Christ.

Francis was the 266th Pope. His memory remains in the heart of the Church and of all humanity.

The Pope’s doctor has said he found him in a coma with his eyes open, but that he died quickly and didn’t suffer undue pain.

Dr Sergio Alfieri said there was nothing that could have saved Francis, describing it as “one of those strokes that, in an hour, carries you away”

The head of Pope Francis’s medical team has revealed new details about the pontiff’s final moments.

The 88-year-old died quickly on the morning of Easter Monday, Dr Sergio Alfieri, who oversaw the Pope’s treatment for pneumonia earlier this year at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, said in interviews published on Thursday.

Francis died without undue suffering and medical intervention could not have saved him, Dr Alfieri said.

He recounted receiving an urgent call around 5.30am on Monday, summoning him to the Vatican. Arriving about 20 minutes later, he found the Pope conscious but unresponsive.

“I entered his rooms and he (Francis) had his eyes open,” Dr. Alfieri told Corriere della Sera.

“I ascertained that there were no respiratory problems. And then I tried to call his name, but he did not respond to me.”

Dr Alfieri said he recognised the gravity of the situation.

“In that moment I knew there was nothing more to do. He was in a coma.”

In another interview with La Repubblica, Dr. Alfieri mentioned that some officials present suggested immediately transporting the Pope back to Gemelli hospital. However, given the circumstances, it was determined that further medical intervention would have been futile.

“He would have died on the way,” said the doctor.

“Doing a CT scan we would have had a more exact diagnosis, but nothing more. It was one of those strokes that, in an hour, carries you away.”

Francis had nearly died while fighting pneumonia, but his death came as a shock.

Just the previous day he appeared in St. Peter’s Square in an open-air popemobile to greet cheering crowds on Easter Sunday, suggesting his convalescence was going well.

Pope kept working

After Francis returned to the Vatican on March 23 after a 38-day hospital stay, Alfieri and the pope’s other doctors had prescribed him a two-month period of rest to allow his ageing body to heal.

Francis, known to push himself hard, kept working. He met briefly with US Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday, and had visited a prison in Rome on April 17, Holy Thursday, to offer well wishes to the inmates.

Dr Alfieri said the pope listened to his doctors’ advice and didn’t push himself too hard.

“He (was) the pope,” the doctor told Corriere. “Going back to work was part of his treatment and he was never exposed to danger.”

The doctor said he last saw Francis on Saturday afternoon. “He was very well,” said Dr Alfieri, who said he gifted the pope some pie, in a flavour he knew the pontiff liked.

He recounted the pope saying, “I am very well, I have started working again, and I like it.”

“We knew that he wanted to go home to be pope up until the last moment,” said the doctor. “He didn’t let us down.”

In the Repubblica interview, Dr Alfieri said Francis had shared one final regret with him.

While he was happy to have visited the prisoners on April 17, he wished he had been able to perform a foot-washing ritual for the Church’s celebration of Holy Thursday.

“He regretted he could not wash the feet of the prisoners,” said the doctor.

“‘This time I couldn’t do it’ was the last thing he said to me.

Donald and Melania Trump

The President confirmed via his social media platform, Truth Social, that himself and the First Lady, Melania Trump, are set to be in attendance. He said they both “look forward to being there.”

Vice President J.D. Vance met with the Pope on Easter Sunday in Rome, a day before his passing. The brief meeting came amid prickly relations between the Papacy and the Trump Administration, which had worsened in recent months as Pope Francis openly criticized U.S. policy on deportation. 

Prince William

King Charles III’s eldest son, Prince William, is confirmed to attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome, according to a statement from Kensington Palace. William will be representing his father, just as Charles represented the late Queen Elizabeth II at the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005.

The Prince of Wales’ attendance in place of the King is a modern tradition, and a statement to further establish William’s role as future king. 

Keir Starmer

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will also be representing the United Kingdom at the service, as confirmed by a spokesperson on April 22 during a Downing Street press briefing.

The Prime Minister expressed condolences for Pope Francis after his death, stating: “His leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the church was often courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility.” 

Volodymyr Zelensky 

The Ukrainian President is confirmed to be in attendance for the service at St Peter’s Basilica, according to his communications advisor, Dmytro Lytvyn.

Zelensky paid tribute to the late Pope on his official X account, saying: “We remember his prayers for peace in Ukraine. Our state will be represented in Rome at the farewell ceremony this coming Saturday.”

Pope Francis and the Ukrainian President last met in October 2024, during Zelensky’s European diplomatic tour.

Micheál Martin

Representation from Catholic-majority countries will be in attendance, as Irish President Michael D. Higgins will be present at the service on April 26, alongside Taoiseach [Prime Minister] Micheál Martin.

On April 22, Higgins paid tribute to the late Pope by signing a book of condolences for the Pontiff in Dublin, Ireland.

Ursula von der Leyen

Another key European figure, E.U. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has confirmed that she will be present for Pope Francis’ funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Von der Leyen’s attendance sets the stage for a potential key meeting between herself and Trump. Whilst the President has paused additional tariffs on the E.U., this could still be a significant meeting between the two.

Javier Milei

Javier Milei, the conservative President of Pope Francis’ native Argentina, will also be travelling to Rome for Saturday’s funeral service, as confirmed via a government statemen

Milei was an open critic of the Pope’s views, adding in another statement: “Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his goodness and wisdom was a true honor for me.”

Upon the news of the Pontiff’s passing, seven days of national mourning was announced in Argentina.

Read More: The Climate Pope: Francis and His Environmental Legacy

Giorgia Meloni

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has reportedly cancelled a visit to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in order to attend Saturday’s funeral.

In a statement paying tribute to Pope Francis, Meloni said: “I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice, his teachings, which never ceased not even during times of trial and suffering.”

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia

Representing another Catholic-majority country, the head of the Spanish Crown will be in attendance for Pope Francis’ funeral, confirmed by the royal palace.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia both signed a book of condolences for the Pope in Madrid earlier in the week. President Pedro Sanchez will reportedly notbe attending the service, although he has yet to publicly comment on this. 

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the head of state for Asia’s largestCatholic population will be present at Saturday’s service in Rome, confirmed in a statement via the Philippines government on April 23.

Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, 67, is one of the top contenders to be appointed as the next Pope. If elected, he would be the first from Asia in centuries and, after Pope Francis, the second non-European Pontiff in more than 1200 years.

Lula da Silva

A well known and longtime friend of Pope Francis, the Brazilian government stated that Brazilian President Lula da Silva will be at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday to represent the world’s largest Catholic population.

During da Silva’s three terms as President, he met with the late Pope on a number of occasions. Offering his condolences after Pope Francis’ passing, the Brazilian official said: “Humanity has lost a voice of compassion and respect.”

António Guterres

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres paid his respects to the late Pope after his passing, and is expected to be in attendance at the funeral in Rome, according to Reuters.

In a statement, Guterres said: “He was a transcendent voice for peace, human dignity and social justice… our divided and discordant world will be a much better place if we follow his example of unity and mutual understanding in our own actions.”

Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will mark the beginning of an ancient tradition of holding nine consecutive days of mourning, which will be marked by Eucharistic celebrations held in suffrage for the late Pope.

Following an ancient tradition, the Catholic Church will observe nine consecutive days of mourning, marked by Masses held in suffrage for the late Pope Francis.

While these Eucharistic celebrations are open to everyone, each day a different group is scheduled to participate—based on their connection with the Holy Father.

This diversity of groups reflects both “the scope of the Supreme Pastor’s ministry and the universality of the Church of Rome” (cf. Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, nos. 124–125).

The Cardinals present in Rome set the schedule for which of them will celebrate each Mass during their second General Congregation, held on Wednesday evening.

Nine days in suffrage

The first day of the Novemdiales will be marked by Pope Francis’ funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square at 10:00 AM.

In the following days, celebrants for the Novemdiales Masses will be as follows (all times are local time in Rome – GMT +2):

–  Second Day: Sunday, April 27, at 10:30 AM in St. Peter’s Square. The Mass will be presided by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the group will be the employees and faithful of Vatican City.

–  Third Day: Monday, April 28, at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica. Mass will be presided by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome, and the group will be the Church of Rome.

–   Fourth Day: Tuesday, April 29, at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Chapters of the Papal Basilicas will be the group at the Mass presided by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican.

–   Fifth Day: Wednesday, April 30, at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside Mass, with the group being the Papal Chapel.

–   Sixth Day: Thursday, May 1, at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside the Mass, with the group being the Roman Curia.

–   Seventh Day: Friday, May 2, at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Mass will be presided by Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, with the group being the Eastern Churches.

–   Eighth Day: Saturday, May 3, at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Pro-Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, will preside the Mass, with members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

–   Ninth Day: Sunday, May 4, at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Protodeacon of the College of Cardinals, will preside the Mass with the Papal Chapel group.

Only Cardinals will be allowed to concelebrate the Masses dedicated to the Papal Chapel on April 30 and May 4.

Every time Pope Francis came back to Rome after a trip abroad, he made sure to pay a visit to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore.

It was a fitting choice: Francis was particularly devoted to the Virgin Mary, and Santa Maria Maggiore was the first church to be dedicated to her when it was built in the 4th Century.

It is one of Rome’s four major basilicas and one of the oldest in the city.

On Saturday, it will also become Francis’s final resting place.

It is a short walk from some of Rome’s most recognisable landmarks like the Colosseum, and a stone’s throw from the city’s endlessly bustling and chaotic central Termini station. The diverse Esquilino neighbourhood is close by.

Santa Maria Maggiore feels steeped in the “real” Rome – despite technically being a part of the Vatican state.

The square it stands on – lined with bus stops, cafes and shops – certainly seems a world away from the awe-inspiring St Peter’s Square and its imposing basilica, under which Popes are usually buried in centuries-old crypts.

And yet the chapels, mosaics and gilded wood of Santa Maria Maggiore remain stunning. Seven other popes are buried here.

The basilica also hosts what is said to be a relic of Jesus’s crib and an icon of Mary, to whom Pope Francis would pray to asking for protection before a journey.

Santa Maria Maggiore’s senior priest, the Lithuanian Rolandas Makrickas, gave Italian newspaper Il Messaggero his account of how the Pope’s decision to be laid to rest there came about.

He said: “In May 2022… I asked him if he wasn’t by any chance thinking about being buried in [the basilica], given how often he came.”

Francis smiled and said that Popes are buried in St Peter’s – “and that was that”, Makrickas thought.

The priest continued: “A week later he called me and said, ‘the Virgin Mary has told me to prepare my tomb’.

“Then he simply told me, ‘find a place for it, because I want to be buried in this basilica and you’ve been a bit of a prophet’.”

The place Mackrickas found is next to the icon of Mary that the Pope so loved. It is now cordoned off and obscured by plywood.

A security guard who wished to remain anonymous told BBC News stories of Pope Francis visiting the church on many occasions.

“Yes, we used to see him all the time when he came here,” he said, interrupting himself to sternly invite tourists to put their phones away or cover their shoulders.

“After a few times of seeing him, one time he looked at me and asked me, ‘why are you always here?’

“And I said, ‘Holy Father, I’m working just as you are’.”

As the security guard spoke, people continued to stream in from the blazing sunshine into the quiet shade of the basilica.

Several queued outside wooden booths, each topped with a sign indicating in which languages the priests inside could hear confessions.

Every few minutes, the chatter would be momentarily quietened by a voice hissing over the loudspeaker: “Silenzio.”

Outside, a woman called Pat from Manchester was squinting at the sun and gathering her thoughts.

“I came here because this is where the Pope used to come before any journey,” she told the BBC, raising her voice over the sound of the midday bells tolling.

“That’s why I’ve always wanted to come and it hasn’t disappointed.”

After a pause, she said: “Beautiful isn’t the word. It’s just vast, it’s enormous.”

Apologising for not being able to put her emotions into words, she said she was “particularly impressed” that many of the six chapels hold different masses at different times, “so if you’re late for one, you can go into another”.

Pat heard the news about the Pope’s death when her plane from the UK landed in Rome on Monday morning.

It did not scupper her visit. As a devout Catholic, she said Santa Maria Maggiore “was always the place I wanted to come” because Francis loved it so.

“I came without any sort of preconceived idea and I made a point of not reading up about it, I just wanted to take the atmosphere in, and feel it.”

“And I did,” she said, looking up at the basilica. “I am full of the spirit.”

On Saturday afternoon, after the world has had a chance to bid farewell to him, Pope Francis will make his final journey from the Vatican to Santa Maria Maggiore, as he did so often in life.

The church will be shut for a few hours, then the stream of visitors will resume.

Some, like Pat, will continue to come to the basilica and try to put something intangible into words. Others will simply admire the mosaics.

And on the left hand side, by an icon of the Virgin Mary, Santa Maria Maggiore’s newest resident will begin his rest.

Following ancient custom, following the  Pope’s funeral Mass, the Vatican will observe nine consecutive days of mourning, marked by Eucharistic celebrations held in suffrage for the late Pope.

While these celebrations are open to everyone, each day a different group is scheduled to participate—based on their connection with the Holy Father. This diversity of group reflects both “the scope of the Supreme Pastor’s ministry and the universality of the Church of Rome” (cf. Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, nos. 124–125).

Nine days in suffrage

The first day of the Novemdiales will be marked by Pope Francis’ funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square at 10am.

In the following days, the Novemdiales celebrations will be as follows (all times are local time in Rome):

–  Second Day: Sunday April 27 at 10:30am in St. Peter’s Square. The Mass will be presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the group will be the employees and faithful of Vatican City.

–  Third Day: Monday, April 28 at 5:00 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. Mass will be presided over by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar  General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome and the group will be the Church of Rome.

–   Fourth Day: Tuesday, April 29 at 5:00 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Chapters of the Papal Basilicas will be the group at the Mass presided over by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican.

–   Fifth Day: Wednesday, April 30 at 5:00 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over Mass with the group being the Papal Chapel.

–   Sixth Day: Thursday, May 1 at 5:00 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the Mass with the group being the Roman Curia.

–   Seventh Day: Friday, May 2 at 5:00 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Mass will be presided over by Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, former Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, with the group being the Eastern Churches.

–   Eighth Day: Saturday, May 3 at 5:00 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, former Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, will preside over the Mass with members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

–   Ninth Day: Sunday, May 4 at 5:00 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Protodeacon of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the Mass with the Papal Chapel group.

The concelebrations of the Papal Chapel gorup on April 30 and May 4 are reserved exclusively for Cardinals.