Millions Watch Pope Francis' Funeral

(Patria) - More than 200,000 people are attending the ceremony in the vast square in front of St. Peter's Basilica. The presence of about 50 heads of state has been confirmed so far, including US President Donald Trump and 10 reigning monarchs. Leaders from Italy, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ukraine, Brazil, EU institutions, and Francis's homeland of Argentina have also come to Pope Francis's funeral.

A delegation from Bosnia and Herzegovina is also present in the Vatican, consisting of the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of BiH Borjana Krišto, the Chairperson of the Presidency of BiH Željka Cvijanović, and a member of the Presidency of BiH Denis Bećirović.

After the procession of citizens who wished to pay their respects concluded, Francis's coffin was sealed on Friday evening in a private ceremony led by eight cardinals. The Pope's face was covered with a white silk veil, and his body was sprinkled with holy water.

Papal items such as coins and medals minted during his pontificate were placed in the coffin. A special document listing the key points of his 12-year papacy was also placed in the coffin.

Francis requested to be buried in a simple zinc-lined wooden coffin, unlike his predecessors who were buried in three interconnected cypress, lead, and oak coffins.

On Saturday morning, the Pope's coffin was carried out of the basilica into the square. The funeral Mass began at 10 AM with a choir singing the opening rites in Latin.

Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered the homily and led the Mass, which is expected to be concelebrated by 220 cardinals and 750 bishops and priests near the altar, and by more than 4,000 other priests who will concelebrate in the square.

At the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005, the homily was delivered by German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who would be elected Pope Benedict XVI eleven days later.