In a moment both solemn and deeply personal, Pope Francis was laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the place he held closest to his heart. It was no surprise to those who knew him well — his lifelong devotion to the Virgin Mary made the choice feel not just fitting, but inevitable.
An estimated 250,000 mourners gathered to pay their final respects, filling the grand basilica and spilling out into the surrounding streets. Leaders from around the globe stood side by side with ordinary faithful, united in grief, prayer, and a shared sense of history.
But not everything followed tradition. In a striking visual break from the Vatican’s prescribed funeral dress code — traditionally all black — some high-profile figures opted for blue. Former President Donald Trump, known for his bold choices, showed up in a sharp blue suit, while Prince William, ever the picture of quiet rebellion, followed suit.
The splash of color didn’t go unnoticed. In fact, it seemed almost symbolic: a nod to the Virgin Mary, often depicted in blue, and perhaps a quiet tribute to Francis himself — a pope who often colored outside the lines, always leading with heart rather than strict formality.
It was a day of goodbyes, but also a reminder of the human spirit that Francis championed so passionately — one that doesn’t always fit into neat little boxes, but still somehow, beautifully, finds its way home.
