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12:46 am today

In pictures: Thousands throng St Peter's Square for Pope Francis' funeral

12:46 am today

EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / This photo taken on April 21, 2025 and handout on April 22, 2025 by The Vatican Media shows Pope Francis in his open coffin during the rite of the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff at the Chapel of Santa Marta in The Vatican. (Photo by Handout / VATICAN MEDIA / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / VATICAN MEDIA" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Pope Francis in his open coffin during the rite of the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff at the Chapel of Santa Marta in The Vatican. Photo: AFP/Vatican Media

Thousands of people gathered in St Peter's Square, Vatican City, on Saturday for the funeral of Pope Francis.

The 266th Pope died aged 88 at the Vatican on Easter Monday of a stroke and heart failure, following a long illness. He reigned for 12 years.

Read about what happened, with RNZ's blog following the funeral mass and procession.

Nuns read through the Osservatore Romano newspaper with Pope Francis on the rear page near Santa Maria Maggiore basilica a day prior to the late Pope's funeral, in Rome on 25 April 2025. Photo: AFP / Dimitar Dilkoff

EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / People queue to pay their respects to late Pope Francis as his body lies in state, outside St Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican, on April 23, 2025. Tens of thousands of mourners began saying their last goodbyes to Pope Francis at St Peter's Basilica Wednesday, as the body of the late Argentine pontiff began three days of lying in state. (Photo by Stefano Rellandini / AFP)

Photo: AFP / Vatican media / Handout

Attendees and nuns stand in the street as they wait before late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square in The Vatican on April 26, 2025. Photo: JEFF PACHOUD / AFP

Pallbearers, next to Swiss Guards, carry the coffin of the late Pope Francis as it is transported from the chapel of Santa Marta to St Peter's Basilica, following the Pope's death, in the Vatican on April 23, 2025. The Pope died of a stroke, the Vatican announced hours after the death on April 21, 2025, of the 88-year-old reformer who inspired devotion but riled traditionalists during 12 years leading the Catholic Church. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

Coffin of the late Pope Francis being transported from the chapel of Santa Marta to St. Peter's Basilica. Photo: AFP/ALBERTO PIZZOLI

Nuns attend a rosary for Pope Francis at the Vatican following his death. Photo: Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters

People queue on the Via della Conciliazione street ahead of late Pope Francis' funeral near the Vatican, in Rome on April 26, 2025. Pope Francis, champion of the poor and the Church's first Latin American leader, will be honoured April 26 with a funeral attended by world leaders and tens of thousands of Catholic faithful. The Argentine pontiff, who died on April 21, 2025, aged 88, sought to create a more open-minded Church during his 12-year papacy, and many emotional tributes have been made -- with 250,000 people paying respects at his coffin in St Peter's Basilica. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)

People queue on the Via della Conciliazione street ahead of late Pope Francis' funeral near the Vatican, in Rome on April 26, 2025. Photo: AFP/HENRY NICHOLLS

This photo taken and handout on April 25, 2025 by The Vatican Media shows France's President Emmanuel Macron (2ndL) and his wife Brigitte Macron (L) paying their respects to late Pope Francis as he lies in state at St Peter's basilica in The Vatican. The public viewing of Pope Francis's open coffin ended on April 25, 2025, television footage showed, after more than 150,000 worshippers had paid respects to the Argentinian pontiff during a three-day lying in state. (Photo by Handout / VATICAN MEDIA / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / VATICAN MEDIA" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

This photo, taken and handout on 25 April 2025 by The Vatican Media, shows France's President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron paying their respects to late Pope Francis as he lies in state at St Peter's basilica in The Vatican. Photo: AFP / Vatican Media

This photo taken and handout on April 23, 2025 by The Vatican Media shows Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni paying her respects to Pope Francis at St Peter's basilica in The Vatican. (Photo by Handout / VATICAN MEDIA / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / VATICAN MEDIA" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Photo: AFP / Vatican media / Handout

People rest in sleeping bags on the street ahead of late Pope Francis' funeral with a view of the Mausoleum of Hadrian near the Vatican, in Rome on April 26, 2025. Pope Francis, champion of the poor and the Church's first Latin American leader, will be honoured April 26 with a funeral attended by world leaders and tens of thousands of Catholic faithful. The Argentine pontiff, who died on April 21, 2025, aged 88, sought to create a more open-minded Church during his 12-year papacy, and many emotional tributes have been made -- with 250,000 people paying respects at his coffin in St Peter's Basilica. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)

People rest in sleeping bags on the street ahead of late Pope Francis' funeral with a view of the Mausoleum of Hadrian near the Vatican, in Rome on 26 April 2025. Photo: AFP / Dimitar Dilkoff

A Swiss guard stands with St Peter's Basilica in the background at St Peter's Square ahead of late Pope Francis' funeral in the Vatican on April 26, 2025. Pope Francis, champion of the poor and the Church's first Latin American leader, will be honoured April 26 with a funeral attended by world leaders and tens of thousands of Catholic faithful. The Argentine pontiff, who died on April 21, 2025, aged 88, sought to create a more open-minded Church during his 12-year papacy, and many emotional tributes have been made -- with 250,000 people paying respects at his coffin in St Peter's Basilica. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

A Swiss guard stands with St Peter's Basilica in the background at St Peter's Square ahead of late Pope Francis' funeral in the Vatican on 26 April 2025. Photo: Alberto Pizzoli / AFP

Former US President Joe Biden (C/R) and his wife Jill Biden (C/L) arrive ahead of the late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at The Vatican on April 26, 2025. Photo: AFP/FILIPPO MONTEFORTE

Argentina's President Javier Milei (C) arrives for late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

Argentina's President Javier Milei arrives for late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025. Photo: ALBERTO PIZZOLI

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban (R) and his wife Anikó Lévai arrive ahead of the late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his wife Anikó Lévai arrive at Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican on 26 April 2025. Photo: Filippo Monteforte / AFP

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrives for late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrives for Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican on 26 April 2025. Photo: Alberto Pizzoli / AFP

Britain's Prince William (C) arrives ahead of the late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at The Vatican on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)

Britain's Prince William arrives ahead of the late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at The Vatican on 26 April 2025. Photo: Filippo Monteforte / AFP

Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales (L)( arrives for late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, arrives for Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican on 26 April 2025. Photo: Alberto Pizzoli / AFP

Members of the clergy wait for Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square in The Vatican on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)

Photo: TIZIANA FABI

Members of the clergy wait outside the Church of Santa Maria del Carmelo in Traspontina in Rome ahead of late Pope Francis' funeral on April 26, 2025. Pope Francis, champion of the poor and the Church's first Latin American leader, will be honoured April 26 with a funeral attended by world leaders and tens of thousands of Catholic faithful. The Argentine pontiff, who died on April 21, 2025, aged 88, sought to create a more open-minded Church during his 12-year papacy, and many emotional tributes have been made -- with 250,000 people paying respects at his coffin in St Peter's Basilica. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)

Photo: HENRY NICHOLLS

Pallbearers carry the coffin of late Pope Francis during the funeral ceremony in St Peter's Square, at the Vatican, on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)

Pallbearers carry the coffin of late Pope Francis during the funeral ceremony in St Peter's Square, at the Vatican, on 26 April 2025. Photo: Tiziana Fabi / AFP

Pallbearers carry the coffin of late Pope Francis during the funeral ceremony in St Peter's Square, at the Vatican, on 26 April 2025. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

Pallbearers carry the coffin of late Pope Francis during the funeral ceremony in St Peter's Square, at the Vatican, on 26 April 2025. Photo: Alberto Pizzoli / AFP

Pallbearers carry the coffin of late Pope Francis during the funeral ceremony in St Peter's Square, at the Vatican, on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

Pallbearers carry the coffin of late Pope Francis during the funeral ceremony in St Peter's Square, at the Vatican, on April 26, 2025. Photo: AFP / Alberto Pizzoli

Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Italian Archbishop Diego Ravelli (L) kneels before the coffin of late Pope Francis during his funeral ceremony in St Peter's Square, at the Vatican, on 26 April 2025. Photo: Andreas Solaro / AFP

Italian cardinal Giovanni Battista Re officiates the mass in front of the coffin of late Pope Francis, during the funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025. Photo: AFP/ALBERTO PIZZOLI

ROME, ITALY - APRIL 26: A young faithful holds a photo of late Pope Francis during the funeral procession arrives at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore during the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26, 2025 in Rome, Italy. Pope Francis died on April 21st at the age of 88. Born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to become Pope when elected in 2013. Taking the name Francis after St Francis of Assisi, he promoted a more humble version of the papacy than many of his predecessors. He will be buried outside of the Vatican in a simple wooden coffin at the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. (Photo by Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

A young faithful holds a photo of late Pope Francis during the funeral procession arrives at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore during the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26, 2025 in Rome, Italy. Photo: Alexi J. Rosenfeld / Getty Images

A general view shows attendees during late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)

A general view shows attendees during late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican on 26 April 2025. Photo: Mandel Ngan / AFP

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - APRILÂ 26: Cardinals attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peterâ€™s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis died on April 21st at the age of 88. Born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to become Pope when elected in 2013. Taking the name Francis after St Francis of Assisi, he promoted a more humble version of the papacy than many of his predecessors. He will be buried outside of the Vatican in a simple wooden coffin at the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Cardinals attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Photo: Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

A faithfull reacts as she waits during late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony, in central Rome on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)

A faithful reacts as she waits during Pope Francis' funeral ceremony, in central Rome on 26 April 2025 Photo: Marco Bertorello / AFP

Italian cardinal Giovanni Battista Re swings an incense burner towards the coffin of late Pope Francis with the book of the gospels displayed on it during the funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square in The Vatican on April 26, 2025. Photo: AFP/FILIPPO MONTEFORTE

A photograph taken from St Peter Basilica shows a general view of late Pope Francis' coffin during the funeral ceremony in St Peter's Square, at the Vatican, on 26 April 2025. Photo: Alberto Pizzoli / AFP

People watch late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony on a large screen in Via della Conciliazione street, near the Vatican in Rome on April 26, 2025. Pope Francis, champion of the poor and the Church's first Latin American leader, will be honoured April 26 with a funeral attended by world leaders and tens of thousands of Catholic faithful. The Argentine pontiff, who died on April 21, 2025, aged 88, sought to create a more open-minded Church during his 12-year papacy, and many emotional tributes have been made -- with 250,000 people paying respects at his coffin in St Peter's Basilica. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)

People watch Pope Francis' funeral ceremony on a large screen in Via della Conciliazione street, near the Vatican in Rome on 26 April 2025. Photo: AFP / Henry Nicholls

(L/R): France's President's wife Brigitte Macron, France's President Emmanuel Macron Finland's President Alexander Stubb, US President Donald Trump, US First Lady Melania Trump, Estonia's President Alar Karis, Spain's King Felipe VI and Spain's Queen Letizia stand during late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)

Left to right: France's President's wife Brigitte Macron, France's President Emmanuel Macron Finland's President Alexander Stubb, US President Donald Trump, US First Lady Melania Trump, Estonia's President Alar Karis, Spain's King Felipe VI and Spain's Queen Letizia stand during late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican on 26 April 2025. Photo: Mandel Ngan / AFP

A member of the clergy swings a thurible of incense above the coffin of late Pope Francis during the funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square in the Vatican on 26 April 2025. Photo: Andreas Solaro / AFP

Huge crowds gathered for Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square in the Vatican on 26 April, 2025. Photo: AFP/ Tiziana Fabi

France's President Emmanuel Macron (C-L) and US President Donald Trump (C-R) stand during the funeral ceremony of late Pope Francis at St Peter's Square in The Vatican, on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP)

France's President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump stand during the funeral ceremony of Pope Francis at St Peter's Square in The Vatican, on 26 April 2025. Photo: Andreas Solaro / AFP

People gather along the road as the coffin of late Pope Francis is transported from St Peter's Basilica to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, during the funeral ceremony in Rome on April 26, 2025. Photo: AFP/ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

The coffin of Pope Francis is seen in front of the Colosseum as it is transported from St Peter's Basilica to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, after a funeral mass in Rome on 26 April, 2025. Photo: AFP/ Stefano Rellandini

The hearse carrying the coffin of Pope Francis arrives at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, his final resting place, in Rome, on 26 April, 2025.

The hearse arriving at St Mary Major - the Basilica de Santa Maria Maggiore, Pope Francis' chosen final resting place, in Rome. Photo: AFP/ Marco Bertorello

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