April 26, 2025, 7:02 PM MDT
Members of the Catholic Church and others around the world solidified their eyes and prayers at the Vatican on Saturday, April 26th for Pope Francis’ funeral.
Pope Francis passed away on Easter on Monday, April 21st, 2025. He was from Argentina and the first Latin American pope. He led the Catholic Church for 12 years.
Around 250,000 people in and around the Vatican were grateful to Pope Francis’ leader and thanking him for saying goodbye to him.
The city of Rome was also full of people who wanted to see the procession from St. Peter’s Square to Major St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Outdoor funerals included Catholic rituals of communion, biblical readings and Gregorian chants.
The Catholic Cardinal College resembles the quorum of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ Church, Latter-day Saints. Cardinal Giovanni Batista Leh, dean of Cardinals University, spoke at the Pope’s funeral.
“He was the pope among the people and he was open to everyone,” said Re Cardinal.
Cardinal replied how the Pope shared the joys of the gospel when he met individuals from around the world.
Over a decade of Pope Francis’ services included agency trips to various countries, including Iraq, the United States and Mexico. The day before his death, he shared his final message on Easter Sunday in St. Peter Square.
The Conclave, who chooses the next Pope, is scheduled to be called in May in nine days of mourning for the church that began at the funeral on Saturday.
Elder Reuben V. Aljaud, president of the European Central Region of the Church at the age of 70, and his wife, Sister Fabiana Bennett Ariaud, represented the first presidency at the funeral.
President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors, President Darrin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring, expressed their common sadness in the news that the Pope had passed away in a statement issued Monday.
The statement posted to churchofjesuschrist.org is as follows:
“We join the world by grieving the death of His divine Francis. His courageous and caring leadership has blessed countless lives. We express our sincere depraved dol to all who seek inspiration and advice from him.
Presidents Nelson and Eyring met Pope Francis during their time as leaders of the Catholic faith.
