Funeral of Pope Francis in Israeli TV

Over two hundred and fifty thousand people from all walks of life poured into St. Peter’s Square and the adjacent areas on Saturday morning to bid their final farewell to Pope Francis at his Requiem Mass. Over 150,00 others lined the streets of Rome as his coffin was taken in procession to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

The Solemn and moving celebration was presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re joined by some 250 Cardinals, Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, priests, and consecrated religious.

Patriarchal Vicar, Fr. Piotr Zelazko was a guest of the news Channel 12 for the entire live transmission of the funeral of Pope Francis. In the same time channel Kan 11 hosted fr. David Neuhaus, the former Vicar of St. James.

Both priests explained the Israeli viewers the heritage of Pope Francis as well as the details about the ceremony.

Pope's funeral Mass was held on the steps of the basilica of St. Peter, one of the Catholic Church’s most important sites, with more than 160 government delegations, including 54 heads of state, 12 reigning sovereigns, 11 reigning monarchs in attendance and 15 heads of government. They included US President Donald Trump, and former President Joe Biden, Argentine President Javier Milei, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., head of the largest Catholic nation in Asia. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky also attended and met with Trump before the funeral. Over 4,700 journalists were accredited to cover the event.

Pope Francis' funeral ceremony was watched by an estimated 2.5 billion viewers worldwide. This immense global audience reflects the profound impact he had on people of various faiths and backgrounds.

The Israeli government did not send an official delegation to Rome for the funeral ceremony of the Pope, instead opting for its ambassador to the Vatican, Yaron Sideman, to represent the country.