Mourners race to get standing room spot in St Peter's Square for Pope Francis' funeral

Saturday, 26 April 2025 16:41

As many as 200,000 people are expected to attend Pope Francis' funeral in St Peter's Square as he is being laid to rest Saturday.

As many as 200,000 people are expected to attend Pope Francis' funeral in St. Peter's Square as he is being laid to rest on Saturday.

While dignitaries are to attend, prisoners and migrants will usher him into the basilica where he will be buried, reflecting his priorities as pope.

US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, the UN chief and European Union leaders are joining Prince William and the Spanish royal family will be in attendance.

The sun rises through a statue as people begin to take their seats in St Peter's Square ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis.

Francis is breaking with recent tradition and will be buried in the St Mary Major Basilica, where a simple underground tomb awaits him with just his name: Franciscus.

The funeral is set to start at 10am local time (6pm AEST).

The pope's Casket will be placed on the back of a pope mobile used on a Philippines trip.

The pope will get one more ride past the faithful on one of his beloved pope mobiles.

The Vatican says for Saturday's burial procession, his casket will be placed on the back of a pope mobile used during his 2015 trip to the Philippines.

The vehicle has been modified so the casket will be visible to mourners along the nearly 4 kilometre route from St Peter's Basilica to his place of burial.

The pope reveled in being driven through crowds of faithful whether in St Peter's Square or on one of his many foreign trips.

His last was on Easter Sunday, when he looped around St Peter's Square to the delight of the faithful who had followed his five-week hospitalisation for pneumonia and his recovery at the Vatican.

A Calabria parish group camped out all night to get a good spot

The 13 spent the night in a nearby square.

They were already coming to Rome for the planned canonisation of the first millennial saint on Sunday, which was suspended by Francis' death.

Instead, they drove up a day early for his funeral.

"The Lord wanted it this way, so we came all the same,'' said Sandra De Felice of Anoia in the Calabria region.

"For me, this is a sign that we need to be truly humble and charitable. Otherwise, we are nothing."

Mourners race to find a spot in St Peter's Square

Ordinary mourners streamed Saturday to get a spot in standing room near the rear of the square surrounding the ancient obelisk, behind VIP seating.

The area to the left of the main altar, up the basilica steps, is reserved for celebrants and Catholic hierarchy, while world leaders and royalty will be seated on the right.

Many ran toward the square as barricades opened.

Some carried banners for the Jubilee Holy Year that Francis opened in December and will continue despite his death Monday following a stroke.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

More from Latest News

World leaders and prisoners bid farewell to 'pope among the people'

Though presidents and princes attended the mass in St Peter's Square today, prisoners and migrants welcomed him at the basilica across town where he will be buried.
Trump's pointed message to Putin after meeting Zelenskyy inside St Peter's Basilica

US President Donald Trump has met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time since their stunning blow-up in the Oval office in late February.
World leaders join huge crowds for Pope Francis' funeral

As many as 200,000 people attended St. Peter's Square as the funeral mass of Pope Francis took place.
'There were tears': Moment owners were told their dog was found after 529 days

Valerie, the miniature daschund that went missing on Kangaroo Island 529 days ago, has finally been found, a wildlife rescue group has announced.
Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre dies, aged 41

Her family has issued a statement after her death on her farm in Western Australia.
Woman charged with attempted murder of jogger

A woman has been charged with attempted murder after she allegedly attacked another woman on a walking trail in Melbourne.
Funeral of Pope Francis: World leaders and royals pay their respects

Dozens of world leaders joined thousands of mourners in St Peter's Square for the funeral of Pope Francis.
Unexpected humpback whale sighting sets off shark alarm at Sydney beach

Residents in Sydney's Northern Beaches woke to a surprise visitor this morning, with a juvenile humpback whale swimming off Little Manly Cove.
Aussie had to travel 6600km to get her hands on one of these 'creepy' little things

Meet Labubu, the latest viral obsession among Gen Zs and Millennials.
Judge warns Trump administration to stop meddling in murder trial

Luigi Mangione only spoke three words in his courtroom appearance, but the attorney-general's comments could be far more influential.
Man allegedly ambushed and stabbed by stranger during morning jog

The 24-year-old had returned from a dawn service with his parents and popped out for a run in Melbourne's north when the incident occurred.
Solemnity and anticipation among thousands queuing to say goodbye to Pope Francis

As the sun sets over the Vatican City mere days after the death of Pope Francis, St Peter's Square is abuzz with pilgrims from all corners of the globe gathering to pay their respects to the late pontiff, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
Man accused of NSW teenager's murder appeared to confess in phone call

The 53-year-old was found unresponsive about 4.50pm yesterday in a cell at western Sydney's Silverwater Correctional Complex.
Trump 'snaps' as he makes startling confession

He started with several backflips on his hardline tariffs, and now he's facing a fresh blow.
Jaime's tumour grew to 7cm before her doctors listened to her

The mother of a NSW Central Coast woman who died of cervical cancer has told how her daughter spent more than a year trying to get doctors to listen to her concerns.
Defence minister recalls walking in footsteps of veteran grandfather

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles has described the moment he walked in the footsteps of his grandfather, Percy Pearce, who fought in the Battle of Pozières in 1916.
In Pictures: How Australians are marking Anzac Day

People from across Australia and around the world have gathered to remember those who gave their lives during Anzac Day services.
Millions mark Anzac Day with dawn services and marches across Australia

The nation is pausing on this solemn day in tribute to he men and women who have served in Australia's defence forces.