Pope Francis' funeral from Rome: watch the live broadcast HERE

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, eternally remembered as Pope Francis , was bid farewell this afternoon in St. Peter's Square in Rome , where Catholic faithful and members of the Church gathered to commemorate the life of the late Pontiff .

His funeral will be held in the early hours of April 26th, at 2:00 a.m. (Mexico time), at the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor, as stated in his will.

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“I hope that my last earthly journey will end at this ancient Marian shrine, to which I have come in prayer at the beginning and end of each Apostolic Journey, to confidently entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mother and thank her for her docile and maternal care.”

The Vatican announced that a funeral service will be held during the burial, presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals . According to the details provided, it will be a simple, solemn ceremony.

HERE YOU CAN FOLLOW THE LIVE BROADCAST OF POPE FRANCIS' FUNERAL

WHO WILL ATTEND POPE FRANCIS' FUNERAL?

Among those attending the ceremony were heads of state, representatives, religious leaders, and even royalty. Among those attending were:

- Javier Milei (President of Argentina, where Pope Francis is from);

- Donald Trump (President of the United States);

- Rosa Icela Rodríguez (Secretary of the Government of Mexico, representative of President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo );

- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (president of Brazil);

- Emmanuel Macron (President of France);

- King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain.

THIS WAS THE DEATH OF THE ARGENTINE PONTIFF

The news of his death was announced in the early hours of April 21. According to reports, it occurred at 7:35 a.m. (Vatican time) at the Casa Santa Marta.

According to the Holy See, Jorge Mario Bergoglio suffered a stroke that led to a coma, followed by irreversible cardiocirculatory failure.

“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and his Church,” Cardinal Kevin Ferrel said in the announcement, which shocked and surprised Catholic faithful.

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WHO WAS POPE FRANCIS? THIS WAS HIS LIFE

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina . He was the first pope originally from the Americas and also the first Jesuit to be elected supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church. He was ordained a priest in 1969 and later became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, and a cardinal in 2001, appointed by Pope John Paul II.

On 13 March 2013, following the resignation of Benedict XVI, he was elected as the 266th Pope , taking the name Francis in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi, reflecting his commitment to humility, poverty and care for creation.

Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis has been known for his simple and approachable style , his focus on social justice , interreligious dialogue , the reform of the Roman Curia , and his defense of the environment, especially through his encyclical Laudato Si' . He sought to reach out to the poorest and most marginalized, promoting a more inclusive and merciful Church .