TRANSCRIPT
Hundreds of thousands gathered in Rome and millions more around the world tuned in to witness Pope Francis' funeral, a final tribute to a pontiff who called on humanity to "build bridges, not walls".
From solemn prayers in Vatican City to emotional tributes in Buenos Aires, the world was united in paying its respects.
The day began early in Rome.
As dawn broke over St Peter’s Square, teenage pilgrims, priests, and dignitaries filled the cobblestone streets.
Carla Sandrea travelled from Madrid to attend the funeral.
"Well, I'm here for the Pope's funeral. For me he represents a great Pope. A Pope of inclusion, the Pope of the poor, the Pope of the marginalised of the Church. The Pope of the young. And he has made a great impact, especially here in Europe and America. His departure has hurt us a lot."
According to the Vatican, some 250,000 mourners filled the Vatican to watch the ceremony.
Among them, U-S President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, E-U Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prince William, and 160 foreign delegations.
A further 150,000 lined the motorcade route through downtown Rome to witness the first funeral procession for a pope in a century.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re led the Mass.
His homily recalled Pope Francis’ lifelong commitment to the marginalised.
"Pope Francis incessantly raised his voice, imploring peace and calling, calling for reason and inviting honest negotiation to find possible solutions, because war, as he said, results in the death of people and the destruction of homes hospitals. and schools."
As Cardinal Re’s words echoed through the Square, spontaneous applause broke out.
After the Mass, the Pope's simple wooden coffin, adorned only with his papal cross, was lifted onto a white popemobile for a final journey through Rome.
Crowds cheered and wept as the procession passed the Colosseum and the Altare della Patria monument.
Among them was Italian Luisa Martimucci.
"He is an exceptional person, for me, for us, for everything he did, for how he turned the Church upside down. He is the best, in my opinion."
Australian visitor Valeria spoke of Francis’ legacy.
"We’re very sad for Papa Francesco, and I think he did his best, but I would have liked to see more women in the church. Maybe they will come next time."
Finlay Hyde travelled from London to see the funeral procession.
"We're not personally religious. However, we came here to obviously see the Pope go past. It is quite upsetting, obviously, because he’s someone you see on the news, you see him on media all the time. So, yes, it's quite an emotional thing and it's amazing to see everyone come out, everyone clapping as he goes past. Yes, it's amazing."
The popemobile then crossed the Tiber River, reaching the Pope's final resting place: the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in central Rome.
He is the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in more than a century.
Children carrying white roses walked ahead of the coffin, laying them at the altar.
Presiding over the final rites, Cardinal Kevin Farrell sealed the Pope’s coffin and blessed it.
Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas led a rosary prayer.
"Today with the arrival in the Basilica the last journey of our beloved Pope Francis was accomplished. He passed through the streets of Rome and the numerous faithful wanted to pay their last respects and express all their affection. In our hearts we keep alive the memory of all his fruitful ministry in and for the church, the church he loved and served until his last breath. From today he rests in this Marian Shrine so dear to him, under the loving gaze of his mother, here venerated with the title of Salus Populi Romani. We pray that the light of your Risen Son will restore the promised reward to the faithful servants. The help of Christians intercede for us."
In Buenos Aires, Francis' homeland, thousands gathered at the Plaza de Mayo to remember the "Porteño Pope".
Archbishop Jorge Garcia Cuerva addressed the crowds:
"We want to give Francis a big hug and tell him: 'Thank you, forgive us, we love you very much.' ... So let us give the greatest gift to the Pope — the father of all, the Argentine and Porteño Pope — by committing ourselves to a pact to fulfill his magisterium as Church and society."
The Catholic faithful in Argentina vowed to become "little Francises" helping those most in need.
By evening, the Basilica doors closed and a chapter in Church history came to an end.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has paid his respects.
Issuing a statement, Mr Albanese said Pope Francis will be remembered as someone whose compassion embraced all humanity.
Australia's highest-ranking Catholic official, Melbourne-based cardinal Mykola Bychok says Pope Francis led the church with love.
"He was a pope of mercy, not just in word but in action. He reached out to the poor, the excluded, the wounded. He taught us not to judge but to accompany. He reminded us again and again, that no one is beyond the reach of God's love."
Pope Francis now rests beneath the ancient icon of the Virgin Mary he loved so dearly.
In a few weeks, the College of Cardinals will convene for what is expected to be the largest and most unpredictable conclave in modern times, a conclave shaped by the spirit of a Pope who never tired of reminding the world: "Mercy is the greatest truth of all".
