King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain joined the world at the Vatican City to bid farewell to Pope Francis in a funeral that reflected his enduring commitment to humility, compassion, and the marginalized. Held in St. Peter’s Square Basilica, the ceremony drew an estimated 250,000 mourners, with an additional 140,000 lining the streets of Rome to witness the procession. Pope Francis, who began his pontificate on March 13, 2013, died on Monday, April 21, at the age of 88, in Rome.
Felipe and Letizia arrived at the Spanish Embassy in Italy on Friday evening. Upon arrival The King and Queen were received by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic and Spanish Ambassador to Italy. The Royal couple paid their respect to the Pope in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. They were joined by a delegation of the Spanish Government.
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Presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, the Mass was both solemn and deeply personal. In his homily, Cardinal Re emphasized Pope Francis’s unwavering calls for peace, stating, “Pope Francis has raised his voice unceasingly to implore peace and to appeal to reason,” which resonated with the gathered crowd.
The funeral was attended by a remarkable assembly of global dignitaries, including 61 heads of state and 12 reigning monarchs. Notable attendees were King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, King and Queen of Belgian, King and Queen of Jordan, King and Queen of Sweden, Crown Prince and Princess of Norway, Grand Duke Duchess of Luxembourg, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco and Queen Mary of Denmark. U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Prince William of Wales representing the United Kingdom.
In a departure from tradition, Pope Francis chose to be interred at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a site of personal significance where he often prayed before and after his apostolic journeys. His tomb is marked simply with the Latin inscription “Franciscus,” a crucifix, and a single white rose, reflecting his lifelong dedication to simplicity and humility.
What Queen Letizia wore at the Funeral of Pope Francis
- Unidentified Black Dress – Repeat
- Black Mantilla
- Ansorena Diamonds and Pearl Earrings – Repeat
- Coreterno Ring – Repeat
- Infanta Isabel‘s Grey pearl brooch with Queen María Cristina White pear Pearl drop– Joyas de Pasar jewels
- Hugo Boss BOSS 0888S Cat Eye Sunglasses -Repeat
- Carolina Herrera Victoria Insignia Bag – Repeat
- Nina Ricci Low Heel Pumps- Repeat