They came to Vatican City and Rome by the thousands to say goodbye to the "people's pope." Francis was the first pontiff from Latin America and was the principal force in opening up the Catholic church to more people, principally the underrepresented, disadvantaged, and impoverished.

St. Peter's Square and Basilica were filled with people, some emotional, that came to see the pontiff lying in state. Through gestures of humility, inclusive prayers, and the presence of a remarkably diverse crowd, the farewell captured Francis' vision of a Church striving to open its arms wider to the world. This included his burial at the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore in a neighborhood that he embraced.

Following his funeral, Catholics waited to see if the church would turn more conservative when naming Francis' successor. The answer came rather swiftly with the appointment of Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff from the United States by way of Peru. It appears that Francis’ influence and leanings will continue.