Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has described attending the funeral of Pope Francis as a “tremendous privilege” and “really special”.
Luxon joined dignitaries and religious leaders from around the world in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican to farewell the pontiff yesterday.
US President Donald Trump and former US President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined Prince William and European royals leading more than 160 official delegations.
Around 200,000 people attended the proceedings and millions more watched the broadcast worldwide.
He said it was a “tremendous privilege” to be there representing New Zealand and all the Catholic community back at home.
“To see all those world leaders coming to acknowledge him and to recognise his passing, but also, most importantly, the legacy and the life that he lived.”
Luxon said while he did meet and speak with several world leaders before the service, the conservations were brief and informal.
“There were a number of world leaders I met along the way and had good conversations with before the Mass started,” he said.
“But again, my focus was really on Pope Francis. I think all of us were very focused on him and that legacy, which was a very important one.”
Seated just a few rows from the altar, Luxon said he had a clear view of the proceedings.
“I was very fortunate. I was very, very close to where the Mass was being led from — I think I was in the second or third row,” he said.
“I remember looking up to the left and just seeing the masses of people in the square, but also all down the streets and the side alleys. There were moments of spontaneous applause at different times as well. It was really special to hear that reverberating throughout the square.”