Pope Francis' funeral drew large crowds of mourners in Rome.

Footage shows a sea of grievers waiting outside St. Peter's Basilica for the funeral ceremony of the late pontiff on Saturday, April 26.

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said that at least 400,000 people attended the funeral proceedings in both the Vatican and Rome.

Pope Francis, whose real name is Jorge Bergoglio, was recently hospitalised for pneumonia in both lungs. He spent 38 days being treated at the Gemelli hospital in Rome before being discharged on March 23.

The pontiff made a final public appearance at the Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Easter Sunday, just a day before his passing at the age of 88.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, in a statement published by the Vatican on the messaging app Telegram, said: 'Dearest brothers and sisters, it is with deep sorrow that I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.

'This morning at 7:35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.

'His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His church.'

Pope Francis was buried at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome on Saturday afternoon.