Pope Francis Buried Outside Vatican Amid Global Tributes

Pope Francis was laid to rest following a funeral in St. Peter’s Square, attended by hundreds of thousands and global leaders including Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Emmanuel Macron, and Prince William. In a break from tradition, Francis became the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican, choosing the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. The funeral procession included migrants, prisoners, homeless, and transgender people, reflecting Francis's commitment to the marginalized. The event saw diplomatic moments, notably between Trump and Zelenskyy, amid ongoing global tensions. The private burial featured moving tributes such as pages of the New Testament fluttering atop his coffin and the presence of the Salus Populi Romani icon. Francis’s funeral, coinciding with the jubilee of hope, emphasized his legacy of compassion, humility, and outreach to those on society’s margins.