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A state funeral was held on April 26, 2025, at the Vatican for Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of Catholics, who recently passed away. Attended by global leaders and many prominent figures, Türkiye was represented solely by the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly, Numan Kurtulmus.
According to Vatican officials, around 200,000 people attended the ceremony. The funeral mass began at approximately 11:00 a.m. Istanbul time. The Pope's coffin was carried from St. Peter’s Basilica to St. Peter’s Square, greeted by a wave of applause from the gathered crowd.
The funeral service was conducted by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals. Opening his remarks, Battista Re stated, "The expressions of affection we have witnessed in recent days following (the Pope's) departure to eternity reveal how deeply Pope Francis touched minds and hearts." He described Pope Francis as "a pope with an open heart, among the people."
Among the distinguished attendees were U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Representing Türkiye, Numan Kurtulmus participated in the funeral, standing among these international dignitaries.
The Vatican noted that the square itself accommodated around 40,000 people, with the remainder spread across adjacent areas.
Prince William, representing his father, King Charles III, was present at the ceremony and approached the Pope’s coffin inside the basilica to pay his respects.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also attended on behalf of the United Kingdom.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also participated. According to the Ukrainian Presidential Office, Zelenskyy held a brief meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the funeral in Rome.
Ukrainian spokesperson Sergiy Nykyforov confirmed the meeting to the press, saying, "The meeting took place and has already concluded." The White House also confirmed that the two leaders met.
Under his last wishes, Pope Francis will be laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
Following the morning funeral mass at St. Peter’s Square, his coffin was transported by a special vehicle to the basilica, approximately six kilometers away.
The funeral procession passed through Vittorio Emanuele Street, Venice Square, near the Colosseum, and along Merulana Street before reaching Santa Maria Maggiore.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni announced that after the interment, the basilica would open to the public on Sunday, allowing people to pay their final respects to Pope Francis.
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