Pope Francis has been laid to rest after a [column / solemn] ceremony in Rome. The funeral and [processing / procession] were attended by more than 250,000 people. Many high-ranking church officials, [regal / royalty] , heads of state, and foreign dignitaries [paid / laid] their respects to the pontiff in the magnificent 16th-century St Peter's Basilica. The Vatican News website called the ceremony "[moving / moved] , intense, and heartfelt". Pope Francis [past / passed] away on Easter Monday, aged 88, after serving as [head / honcho] of the Catholic Church for 12 years. Francis was the first Pope from South America. A Catholic Church cardinal said the [pour / outpouring] of affection in the Vatican [highways / streets] "tells us how much Pope Francis [stroked / touched] minds and hearts".
Pope Francis was a [hugely / huge] popular pontiff. He was seen as a man who did his [uppermost / utmost] to bring people together. Cardinal Re told [moaners / mourners] that the late Pope had a deep commitment [to / at] the plight [of / on] migrants and to world peace. Cardinal Re said Francis had constantly [purged / urged] people to "build bridges, not walls". Francis was always outspoken in his [critical / criticism] of war. He continually urged leaders to end conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and Myanmar. Francis will also be remembered for his calls for greater [exclusivity / inclusivity] . He gave his conditional [blessed / blessing] of same-sex couples. He also recognized transgender and LGBTQ+ issues, even though this [brought / took] criticism from conservatives.
