Pope Francis funeral updates: Pope Francis laid to rest after historic funeral in front of 250,000
Francis died on April 26 at 88 years old.
Last updated: Saturday, April 26, 2025 2:32PM GMT
Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, was remembered Saturday during a historic funeral ceremony.
Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, will be buried Saturday at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major after dying one week ago at 88 years old.
Francis, who took his name after Saint Francis of Assisi, was known for his outreach to the poor and those in poverty and that will be reflected in his minimalist burial at Saint Mary Major. He is the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in over a century and the first to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore in more than 300 years.
Watch ABC News' live coverage of the funeral for Pope Francis now on ABC stations and streaming on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu.
Tap on the blue circle to take a look at photos from the funeral for Pope Francis.
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The coffin of Pope Francis arrives at St. Mary Major Basilica for his burial ceremony, in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025.
AP Photo/Antonietta Baldassarre
8:21 AM GMT
Crowd applauds Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
A mostly calm crowd that has gathered in St. Peter's Square on Saturday morning broke out into applause when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared on the screens dotted around the square.
Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelenskyy, center, arrives for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Zelenskyy is sitting with many other world leaders and dignitaries who have made their way from around the world to say goodbye to Pope Francis.
8:19 AM GMT
Pope Francis and Donald Trump clashed over the treatment of migrants
Even as President Donald Trump attends Pope Francis' funeral, the two men clashed repeatedly, including as far back as Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, over how to treat migrants.
In 2016, Pope Francis criticized Trump over his pledge to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Ivanka Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and President Donald Trump stand with Pope Francis during a meeting, Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at the Vatican.
"A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian," Pope Francis said while on a trip to Mexico. "This is not in the gospel."
Trump responded at the time that he was "proud to be a Christian" and that "no leader, especially a religious leader, should have the right to question another man's religion or faith." He also suggested the Mexican government had used him as a "pawn" and convinced him to make the remarks.
This year, one day before Trump was inaugurated for his second term, Pope Francis commented on his plan to carry out mass deportations.
"If it is true, it will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing pay the bill for the imbalance. It won't do. This is not the way to solve things," he said.
46 minutes ago
Bells toll to signal the start of the procession
Pope Francis' coffin will be brought from St. Peter's Basilica to the front of the altar in the square.
Mourners were instructed to refrain from waving flags or banners during the procession.
People wait before the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025.
7:49 AM GMT
Trump pays respects along with Melania, Joe and Jill Biden also in attendance
President Donald Trump has arrived at St. Peter's Square alongside First Lady Melania Trump to pay their respects and say goodbye to Pope Francis.
Pres. Donald Donald Trump arrived with his wife, Melania. He is among more than 50 heads of state and other dignitaries attending the funeral of Pope Francis.
Former President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, are also in attendance.
Donald Trump paid his respects to Pope Francis at his closed coffin inside St. Peter's Basilica before making his way outside to take his seat with many other world leaders and dignitaries.