At least 400,000 people attended Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony

At least 400,000 people attended Pope Francis’ funeral today, gathered at St. Peter Square and on the streets of Rome, where the coffin with the Pope’s body was taken to the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore where it was buried, Italian Interior Minister Mateo said.

« Among the attendees at St. Peter Square for the Mass and attendees after the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica crossing, we estimate that there were no less than 400,000 people, » Piantedozi said.

Pope Francis is buried today at the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome, and the private ceremony lasted about half an hour, the Vatican said.

– The funeral was held according to the regulations of the Ordo Exsequiaarum Romani pontificis, and led the Cardinal Comoric in the presence of the persons listed in the appropriate reporting from the Office of Liturgical celebrations, as well as family members of the deceased Pope. The ceremony ended at 1:30 pm Central European time – the Vatican said in a statement.

Before that basilica, about six kilometers from the Vatican, the Pope’s body was greeted by 40 members of marginalized groups, which he particularly advocated during the service, including migrants, homeless, prisoners and transgender.

The funeral in the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica was attended by only the closest ones, and the simple, wooden casket of the pope was welcomed with bells.

After Pope Francis’ funeral, nine days of mourning, and then the 135 cardinals, members of the conclave, will have to choose a new pope.

The head of the Roman Catholic Church died at the age of 88 on April 21.

Believers will be able to visit his grave at the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica from tomorrow, the Vatican reported.

Dozens of leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenski, British Prince William, French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish King Felipe, today joined hundreds of thousands of believers on the streets of Rome.