Pope Francis’ funeral recap: Remarkable scenes as world leaders and 250,000 mourners say final farewell

The world’s smallest army, the Pontifical Swiss Guard’s main job is to guard the pope.

They are essentially the armed forces of the Holy See, protecting the Vatican and the Apostolic Palace.

Their distinct Renaissance-era uniforms of red, blue and yellow striped tunics are complete with feathered helmets, ruffled collars and a halberd, a traditional polearm weapon combining the head of an axe and a long spike on top.

For a chance to join the papal protectors, Swiss Guard hopefuls must be male, Swiss citizens, practising Catholics, single, between the ages of 19 and 30, and at least 5 feet 8.5 inches, or 174cm tall.

Small but mighty, the 135-strong army will have already been well-prepared for the pope’s death.

They’ll be part of the major security operation underway alongside Italian police units and the military to ensure the pontiff’s funeral runs smoothly.

The Swiss Guards will also be part of the procession after the funeral ends to take the coffin to the Basilica of St Mary Major.

“Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will.

“Who live and reign for ever and ever. The peace of the Lord be with you always. And with your spirit.

“Let us offer each other the sign of peace.”

The faithful turn to each other and shake hands or nod to each other.

Psalm 130 is chanted as the Communion Antiphon as attendees take Communion.

“Let perpetual light shine upon him, with your Saints for ever, for you are merciful.

“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice!

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“Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God.

“My soul is thirsting for God, the living God; when can I enter and appear before the face of God?

“My tears have become my bread, by night, by day, as I hear it said all the day long: ‘Where is your God?’”

“Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father,” Cardinal Re says.

“May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.”

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​​Eucharistic Prayer III, raising the bread (body of Christ) and wine (blood of Christ).

“Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you: by the same Spirit graciously make holy these gifts we have brought to you for consecration, that they may become the Body and Blood of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.”

The altar is now being prepared for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, a ritual central to the Catholic faith.

Also known as Holy Communion, it symbolises the Last Supper and involves the sharing of bread and wine, to represent the body and blood of Christ.

Cardinal Re brings incense around the altar again as the choir sings.

He said Pope Francis’ final appearance over Easter was his “final embrace with all the people of God, but also (to) embrace humanity that seeks the truth with a sincere heart and holds high the torch of hope”.

Cardinal Re talks about the pontiff’s trips abroad, known as “Apostolic Journeys”.

The name comes from the notion that the Pope is a successor of Peter the Apostle, considered the first head of the Catholic Church.

He said one trip that stayed with Pope Francis’ was to Iraq in 2021.

Cardinal Re said the Pope was struck by the people who had “suffered so much from the inhuman actions of ISIS”.

“War always leaves the world worse than it was before,” Cardinal Re said.

Cardinals and clergy members don red and white robes in striking scenes at the Pope’s funeral.

Prince William and King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain are among the royals from around the world to pay tribute to the Pope.

Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

“For the late Pope Francis, that the Chief Shepherd, who eternally lives to intercede for us, may welcome him into his kingdom of light and peace.

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“God, our salvation, hear us as we make our prayer in union with the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Saints: welcome into the assembly of your elect the soul of your servant and our Pope Francis, who put his trust in the prayer of the Church.

“Through Christ our Lord.”

The next reading from the Holy Gospel according to John, in Latin, from the deacon.

“When Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’”

John 21:15-19