World leaders join 250,000 mourners at Pope Francis’ funeral; President Droupadi Murmu represents India

New Delhi, Apr 26: In an outpouring of grief, an estimated 250,000 mourners gathered at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City for the funeral Mass of Pope Francis. Among them were dozens of world leaders and dignitaries, including President Droupadi Murmu of India, who attended the solemn ceremony along with Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Minority Affairs Shri George Kurian, and Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Shri Joshua De Souza, as part of the official Indian delegation.

President Murmu paid tribute to Pope Francis on behalf of the people of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a statement, remarked: “Rashtrapati Ji pays homage to His Holiness Pope Francis on behalf of the people of India.

The world will always remember his service to society.”

The funeral Mass, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, remembered Pope Francis as a man who “touched minds and hearts” and who “wanted to build bridges, not walls.” The service drew a remarkable array of global figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Prince William of the United Kingdom. Trump and Zelensky met inside St. Peter’s Basilica ahead of the funeral, a meeting Zelensky later described as “having potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results.” The Vatican reports that around 150,000 people lined the streets of Rome as Pope Francis’ coffin was carried in a solemn procession toward his final resting place.

After the Mass, the coffin was taken to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where a private burial ceremony was held, fulfilling Francis’ request for a simple tomb inscribed only with “Franciscus,” the Latin form of his chosen name.

The Catholic Church has broken with recent tradition by including prisoners and migrants in the burial rites, highlighting Pope Francis’ lifelong commitment to the marginalised. His tomb will be open to visitors starting Sunday morning. Meanwhile, a nine-day mourning period known as Novemdiales has begun, with daily Masses to honour the late Pope’s memory. Attention will soon turn to the conclave, the secretive ritual to elect Francis’ successor, expected to commence between 15 to 20 days after his death, likely after May 6. As the world mourns, Pope Francis’ legacy of humility, bridge-building, and service to the marginalised will continue to resonate far beyond Vatican City.