Following the death of Pope Francis, world leaders gathered in Vatican City to pay their respects and witness the funeral ceremony. The event drew over 250,000 attendees, including 55 Heads of State and Government, numerous diplomats, and Catholic faithful from around the globe.

The funeral service was held at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where Pope Francis had requested to be buried, marking the first time in over a century that a Pope was laid to rest outside the Vatican. World leaders such as US President Donald Trump, his predecessor Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were among those present.

During the funeral proceedings, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, presided over the Requiem Mass, extolling Pope Francis’ virtues, particularly his love for humanity, advocacy for world peace, and message of mercy. Prayers and hymns were conducted in various languages, reflecting the global reach of the Catholic Church.

President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia attended a Requiem Mass in Lusaka, honoring Pope Francis as a moral beacon, a servant of God, and an advocate for justice and peace. Hichilema reflected on Pope Francis’s efforts to break barriers and build bridges across faiths and nations.

Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 after a brief illness, was remembered for his humility, his concern for the poor and marginalized, and his commitment to inter-religious dialogue. He chose a simpler style of papacy, residing in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse and opting for simpler vestments.

After the funeral, the focus shifted to the selection of a new Pope. The papal conclave, a gathering of cardinal electors, will convene within 15 to 20 days to choose the successor. The process involves intricate rituals and ballots, with the cardinal electors secluded until a decision is reached. A two-thirds plus-one vote is required for a candidate to win.

The conclave will take place inside the Sistine Chapel, where cardinal electors will cast their votes in secrecy. Ballots are burned after each voting session, with black smoke signaling no decision and white smoke indicating the election of a new Pope. Once a new Pope is chosen, he will emerge onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver his first blessing to the world.

The selection of Pope Francis’s successor is of significant interest to the world, as the new leader will guide the Catholic Church through financial challenges and ideological divisions.