Pope Francis Funeral Draws 250,000 Mourners in Rome

Hundreds of thousands of mourners, including world leaders and dignitaries such as Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, gathered in Vatican City and St Peter's Square for the funeral of Pope Francis, who was remembered for his commitment to simplicity and social justice. The service, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, emphasized Francis's legacy of building 'bridges, not walls,' echoing his advocacy for compassion towards migrants and action on climate change. The pontiff's funeral departed from tradition, opting for modest rituals and a simple wooden casket, reflecting his vision for a 'poor church for the poor.' Security was tight in Rome, with a no-fly zone enforced, while communion was distributed to the massive crowds. Cardinal Re's sermon invoked Francis's past criticisms of anti-immigration policies and called for continued care for the marginalized and the environment. The presence of global leaders underscored the pope's broad influence and the unifying nature of his message.