A humble coffin, a grand farewell: 400,000 mourners and world leaders pay final respects to Pope Francis

Hundreds of thousands, along with world leaders like Trump and Biden, gathered in Rome to say goodbye to Pope Francis, who was known for his compassion and focus on the poor throughout his 12-year papacy. (Photo: AP)

After the funeral at St Peter's Square, Pope Francis's plain wooden coffin was taken to Santa Maria Maggiore church, where it was sealed with red wax and buried privately in a marble tomb simply marked "Franciscus". (Photo: AP)

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re praised Pope Francis for making the Catholic Church more open and welcoming, calling him a pope "with an open heart" and remembering his deep care for migrants and the poor. (Photo: AP)

Italian and Vatican authorities deployed fighter jets, rooftop snipers, and strong security arrangements to protect world leaders and the huge crowd that filled Rome’s streets during the funeral ceremonies. (Photo: AP)

Before the funeral, Donald Trump met Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy for the first time since their Oval Office clash. Other leaders like Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron also gathered and spoke briefly at the basilica. (Photo: AP)

The Vatican has announced nine days of mourning for Pope Francis. After this period, cardinals under the age of 80 will gather to elect the next leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. (Photo: AP)

In his final years, Francis often urged peace and negotiations, famously saying "Build bridges, not walls". His funeral homily emphasised these ideals, highlighting his lifelong efforts to heal global divisions. (Photo: AP)

True to his Jesuit roots, Francis lived simply, stayed in a Vatican guesthouse instead of the palace, and remained close to ordinary people, regularly taking selfies, visiting poor areas, and refusing luxury. (Photo: AP)

People from around the world, like Guatemalan Maria Vicente, wept during the emotional farewell. Many placed flowers and said prayers while the pope’s coffin was carried inside by fourteen white-gloved pallbearers. (Photo: AP)

Francis surprised many by allowing blessings for same-sex couples, accepting transgender believers, and welcoming divorced Catholics to communion — although he firmly upheld the Church’s traditional stance against abortion. (Photo: AP)