Pope Francis’ funeral live updates: Cardinals guide Pope to St Peter’s Square, funeral mass begins

That brings the proceedings of the late Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, to an end.

Italian authorities estimate around 250,000 people attended St Peter’s Square in Vatican City for the funeral mass, including dozens of world and religious leaders.

Pope Francis was the first Jesuit pope and the first pope raised outside of Europe since the eighth century.

A humble man, the pontiff made several reforms during his reign over the Catholic Church between 2013 and 2025.

He was known for having more of an informal approach to the papacy, evidenced by his choice to reside on the Domus Sanctae Martae guesthouse instead of the Apostolic Palace (where the pope usually lives), his Ring of the Fisherman being made of gold-plated silver instead of something more ornate,

His commitment to interreligious cooperation was shown in his close bond with Bartholomew I of Constantinople, the leader of the Eastern Orthodox Churches, and his signing of the Holy See’s first treaty with Palestine.

With a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary, Pope Francis’ mortal remains have now been laid to rest at the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome.

Pope Francis has arrived at the Basilica of St Mary Major.

Pallbearers unloaded his coffin as several cardinals and bishops made their way inside the church for his private burial.

He will be buried near an icon favoured by the pontiff, titled “Salus Populi Romani” (Health of the Roman People).

It is an icon depicting the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus, said to be painted by St Luke the Evangelist, according to Catholic tradition.

Thousands of people are lining the streets as the Pope’s coffin is driven roughly 5-7km from the Vatican to St Mary Major.

He will have a private burial but mourners will be able to visit his tomb as soon as Sunday morning.

Bearing the simple inscription “Franciscus”, his tomb is made from the stone of Liguria, the north-western Italian region where his grandparents are from.

The

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

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“He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.”

The song is understood to be an unusual end to a papal funeral, but likely handpicked by Pope Francis who had particular devotion to the Virgin Mary.

Hundreds of cardinals are again filing into St Peter’s Basilica ahead of the Pope’s journey through the “door of death” as the bells toll again.

The pallbearers take the coffin inside as an estimated 250,000 people in attendance watch on.

He will then be transported from Vatican City walls to St Mary Major’s Basilica in Rome.

Cardinal Re reads the responsory, praying for God to welcome Pope Francis “into your heavenly dwelling place, to enjoy eternal glory with all your chosen ones”.

The choir then chants Antiphons:

“May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come and welcome you and take you to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem.

“May choirs of angels welcome you and with Lazarus, who is poor no longer, may you have eternal rest.”

From the Funeral Office of the Byzantine Liturgy, leaders of the Eastern Churches recite their prayer in Greek.

“God of our salvation, grant rest to the soul of your servant.

“Lover of mankind, lead him, with the souls of the just, to the blessings of eternal life in your presence.

“Guide the soul of your servant to the place of your rest, Lord, where your Saints repose, you who alone are immortal.”

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“May your remembrance be eternal, dear brother, worthy of blessedness, never to be forgotten. Amen.”

The Eastern Catholic Churches are a group of 23 autonomous churches that are separate from the main Roman Catholic Church but share the pope as leader.

Now, all present are chanting prayer of the church in Rome.

It’s a lengthy process, beginning with “Holy Mary, pray for him”, before name-checking the names of past popes who have been made saints, martyrs of the church, angels, patriarchs and more.

It ends with:

“O God, faithful rewarder of souls, grant that your departed servant and our Bishop, Pope Francis, whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of your Church, may happily enjoy for ever in your presence in heaven the mysteries of your grace and compassion, which he faithfully ministered on earth.

“Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Cardinal Re is standing behind Pope Francis’ coffin, giving his final farewell to his earthly body.

“Dear brothers and sisters, let us commend to God’s tender mercy the soul of Pope Francis, Bishop of the Catholic Church, who confirmed his brothers and sisters in the faith of the resurrection.”

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“Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Apostles and Protectress of the Roman people, may God reveal to our Pope the face of his beloved Son and console the Church with the light of the resurrection.”

The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, or the Eastern Orthodox Church, is represented by Bartholomew I of Constantinople.

The Ecumenical Patriarch since 1991, Bartholomew I shared a close friendship with Pope Francis.

He is the spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians worldwide.