In a solemn yet politically charged funeral, Pope Francis’ legacy of compassion and justice took center stage as world leaders including President Donald Trump gathered to pay their respects. The late pontiff, who died Monday at 88, was remembered for his unwavering calls to “build bridges, not walls,” a message that stood in stark contrast to the hardline policies of many in attendance.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, delivering the homily before 40,000 mourners in St. Peter’s Square and millions more worldwide, emphasized Francis’ relentless advocacy for refugees, the poor, and peace. “War always leaves the world worse than it was before,” Re said, echoing the pope’s frequent denunciations of global conflicts, economic inequality, and environmental destruction.
The ceremony, marked by its simplicity per Francis’ wishes, nonetheless carried immense symbolic weight. His plain wooden casket, a departure from the traditional triple-coffin burial of past popes, was escorted through Rome by crowds of pilgrims before reaching its final resting place at St. Mary Major Basilica. There, it was met by marginalized communities migrants, prisoners, and transgender individuals reflecting Francis’ lifelong commitment to the marginalized.
The gathering of dignitaries, including Trump, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and France’s Emmanuel Macron, underscored the late pope’s unique role as a moral counterweight to global power. His critiques of Trump’s border policies, mass deportations, and neglect of the poor were implicit rebukes to the very leaders now honoring him.
As the Catholic Church prepares to elect a successor, the question lingers: Will the next pope uphold Francis’ progressive vision, or will the Vatican shift back toward conservatism? For now, the world is left with the challenge Francis posed to choose solidarity over division, mercy over exclusion, and peace over war.
For more political updates, visit DC Brief.
