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PHOTO COLLECTION: Vatican Pope Funeral Top Photos of the Day

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PHOTO COLLECTION: Vatican Pope Funeral Top Photos of the Day
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News

PHOTO COLLECTION: Vatican Pope Funeral Top Photos of the Day

2025-04-26 21:16 Last Updated At:21:34

This is a photo collection curated by AP photo editors.

The coffin of Pope Francis is transported in front of the Colosseum on its way to St. Mary Major where he will be buried, Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Mauro Scrobogna/LaPresse via AP)

The coffin of Pope Francis is transported in front of the Colosseum on its way to St. Mary Major where he will be buried, Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Mauro Scrobogna/LaPresse via AP)

The coffin of Pope Francis passes the Colosseum in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

The coffin of Pope Francis passes the Colosseum in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Clergy attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Clergy attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and President Donald Trump, talk as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025.(Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and President Donald Trump, talk as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025.(Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried in front of dignitaries, including President Donald Trump, center, and French President Emmanuel Macron, left, during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried in front of dignitaries, including President Donald Trump, center, and French President Emmanuel Macron, left, during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

A view of St Peter's Square during the funeral of Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

A view of St Peter's Square during the funeral of Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis arrives at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

The coffin of Pope Francis arrives at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Faithful pray during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Faithful pray during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried in front of dignitaries, including President Donald Trump, center, during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried in front of dignitaries, including President Donald Trump, center, during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re blesses the coffin during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re blesses the coffin during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried at the end of his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried at the end of his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The book of the Gospels lies on the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral ceremony in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

The book of the Gospels lies on the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral ceremony in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Clergy follow the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Clergy follow the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Nuns watch the funeral of Pope Francis from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Nuns watch the funeral of Pope Francis from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump leave at the end of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump leave at the end of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

A faithful reacts during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

A faithful reacts during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried in front of dignitaries during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried in front of dignitaries during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Faithful listen to mass during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Faithful listen to mass during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

The coffin of Pope Francis makes its way to St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

The coffin of Pope Francis makes its way to St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

A nun holds a phot of Pope Francis while attending his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

A nun holds a phot of Pope Francis while attending his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried out of St Peter's Basilica during his funeral, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried out of St Peter's Basilica during his funeral, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re spreads incense around the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re spreads incense around the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The sun rises through a statue as people begin to take their seats in St. Peter's Square, ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The sun rises through a statue as people begin to take their seats in St. Peter's Square, ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

A view of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

A view of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

A view of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

A view of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

A nun smiles as she waits ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

A nun smiles as she waits ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Clergy take their seats ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Clergy take their seats ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Clergy take their seats for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Clergy take their seats for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Nuns share a laugh as people gather for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Nuns share a laugh as people gather for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

A man yawns as people arrive in St. Peter's Square ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

A man yawns as people arrive in St. Peter's Square ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Faithful rest on the ground ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Faithful rest on the ground ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Former President Joe Biden, center, and his wife Jill arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Former President Joe Biden, center, and his wife Jill arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

President Donald Trump, front row right, and Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelenskyy, front row left, are seen amongst other dignitaries during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

President Donald Trump, front row right, and Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelenskyy, front row left, are seen amongst other dignitaries during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

President Donald Trump, center-right, attends the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

President Donald Trump, center-right, attends the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, center, arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, center, arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron, left, as Finland's President Alexander Stubb, looks on, as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron, left, as Finland's President Alexander Stubb, looks on, as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelenskyy, center, arrives for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelenskyy, center, arrives for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Clergy during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Clergy during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Cardinals stand during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Cardinals stand during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Nuns and faithful listen to mass during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Nuns and faithful listen to mass during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

The coffin of Pope Francis is placed on the ground during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is placed on the ground during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is placed on the ground in St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

The coffin of Pope Francis is placed on the ground in St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, kneeling right, presides over the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, kneeling right, presides over the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, back to camera, kneels by the coffin of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, back to camera, kneels by the coffin of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

More Images
The coffin of Pope Francis is transported in front of the Colosseum on its way to St. Mary Major where he will be buried, Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Mauro Scrobogna/LaPresse via AP)

The coffin of Pope Francis is transported in front of the Colosseum on its way to St. Mary Major where he will be buried, Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Mauro Scrobogna/LaPresse via AP)

The coffin of Pope Francis passes the Colosseum in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

The coffin of Pope Francis passes the Colosseum in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Clergy attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Clergy attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and President Donald Trump, talk as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025.(Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and President Donald Trump, talk as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025.(Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried in front of dignitaries, including President Donald Trump, center, and French President Emmanuel Macron, left, during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried in front of dignitaries, including President Donald Trump, center, and French President Emmanuel Macron, left, during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

A view of St Peter's Square during the funeral of Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

A view of St Peter's Square during the funeral of Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis arrives at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

The coffin of Pope Francis arrives at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Faithful pray during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Faithful pray during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried in front of dignitaries, including President Donald Trump, center, during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried in front of dignitaries, including President Donald Trump, center, during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re blesses the coffin during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re blesses the coffin during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried at the end of his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried at the end of his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The book of the Gospels lies on the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral ceremony in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

The book of the Gospels lies on the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral ceremony in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Clergy follow the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Clergy follow the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Nuns watch the funeral of Pope Francis from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Nuns watch the funeral of Pope Francis from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump leave at the end of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump leave at the end of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

A faithful reacts during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

A faithful reacts during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried in front of dignitaries during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried in front of dignitaries during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Faithful listen to mass during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Faithful listen to mass during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

The coffin of Pope Francis makes its way to St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

The coffin of Pope Francis makes its way to St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

A nun holds a phot of Pope Francis while attending his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

A nun holds a phot of Pope Francis while attending his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried out of St Peter's Basilica during his funeral, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried out of St Peter's Basilica during his funeral, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re spreads incense around the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re spreads incense around the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The sun rises through a statue as people begin to take their seats in St. Peter's Square, ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The sun rises through a statue as people begin to take their seats in St. Peter's Square, ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

A view of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

A view of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

A view of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

A view of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

A nun smiles as she waits ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

A nun smiles as she waits ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Clergy take their seats ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Clergy take their seats ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Clergy take their seats for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Clergy take their seats for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Nuns share a laugh as people gather for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Nuns share a laugh as people gather for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

A man yawns as people arrive in St. Peter's Square ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

A man yawns as people arrive in St. Peter's Square ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Faithful rest on the ground ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Faithful rest on the ground ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Former President Joe Biden, center, and his wife Jill arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Former President Joe Biden, center, and his wife Jill arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

President Donald Trump, front row right, and Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelenskyy, front row left, are seen amongst other dignitaries during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

President Donald Trump, front row right, and Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelenskyy, front row left, are seen amongst other dignitaries during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

President Donald Trump, center-right, attends the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

President Donald Trump, center-right, attends the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, center, arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, center, arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron, left, as Finland's President Alexander Stubb, looks on, as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron, left, as Finland's President Alexander Stubb, looks on, as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelenskyy, center, arrives for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelenskyy, center, arrives for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Clergy during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Clergy during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Cardinals stand during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Cardinals stand during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Nuns and faithful listen to mass during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Nuns and faithful listen to mass during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

The coffin of Pope Francis is placed on the ground during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is placed on the ground during his funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is placed on the ground in St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

The coffin of Pope Francis is placed on the ground in St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, kneeling right, presides over the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, kneeling right, presides over the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, back to camera, kneels by the coffin of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, back to camera, kneels by the coffin of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried into St Peter's Square for his funeral, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Becky Pepper-Jackson finished third in the discus throw in West Virginia last year though she was in just her first year of high school. Now a 15-year-old sophomore, Pepper-Jackson is aware that her upcoming season could be her last.

West Virginia has banned transgender girls like Pepper-Jackson from competing in girls and women's sports, and is among the more than two dozen states with similar laws. Though the West Virginia law has been blocked by lower courts, the outcome could be different at the conservative-dominated Supreme Court, which has allowed multiple restrictions on transgender people to be enforced in the past year.

The justices are hearing arguments Tuesday in two cases over whether the sports bans violate the Constitution or the landmark federal law known as Title IX that prohibits sex discrimination in education. The second case comes from Idaho, where college student Lindsay Hecox challenged that state's law.

Decisions are expected by early summer.

President Donald Trump's Republican administration has targeted transgender Americans from the first day of his second term, including ousting transgender people from the military and declaring that gender is immutable and determined at birth.

Pepper-Jackson has become the face of the nationwide battle over the participation of transgender girls in athletics that has played out at both the state and federal levels as Republicans have leveraged the issue as a fight for athletic fairness for women and girls.

“I think it’s something that needs to be done,” Pepper-Jackson said in an interview with The Associated Press that was conducted over Zoom. “It’s something I’m here to do because ... this is important to me. I know it’s important to other people. So, like, I’m here for it.”

She sat alongside her mother, Heather Jackson, on a sofa in their home just outside Bridgeport, a rural West Virginia community about 40 miles southwest of Morgantown, to talk about a legal fight that began when she was a middle schooler who finished near the back of the pack in cross-country races.

Pepper-Jackson has grown into a competitive discus and shot put thrower. In addition to the bronze medal in the discus, she finished eighth among shot putters.

She attributes her success to hard work, practicing at school and in her backyard, and lifting weights. Pepper-Jackson has been taking puberty-blocking medication and has publicly identified as a girl since she was in the third grade, though the Supreme Court's decision in June upholding state bans on gender-affirming medical treatment for minors has forced her to go out of state for care.

Her very improvement as an athlete has been cited as a reason she should not be allowed to compete against girls.

“There are immutable physical and biological characteristic differences between men and women that make men bigger, stronger, and faster than women. And if we allow biological males to play sports against biological females, those differences will erode the ability and the places for women in these sports which we have fought so hard for over the last 50 years,” West Virginia's attorney general, JB McCuskey, said in an AP interview. McCuskey said he is not aware of any other transgender athlete in the state who has competed or is trying to compete in girls or women’s sports.

Despite the small numbers of transgender athletes, the issue has taken on outsize importance. The NCAA and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committees banned transgender women from women's sports after Trump signed an executive order aimed at barring their participation.

The public generally is supportive of the limits. An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll conducted in October 2025 found that about 6 in 10 U.S. adults “strongly” or “somewhat” favored requiring transgender children and teenagers to only compete on sports teams that match the sex they were assigned at birth, not the gender they identify with, while about 2 in 10 were “strongly” or “somewhat” opposed and about one-quarter did not have an opinion.

About 2.1 million adults, or 0.8%, and 724,000 people age 13 to 17, or 3.3%, identify as transgender in the U.S., according to the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law.

Those allied with the administration on the issue paint it in broader terms than just sports, pointing to state laws, Trump administration policies and court rulings against transgender people.

"I think there are cultural, political, legal headwinds all supporting this notion that it’s just a lie that a man can be a woman," said John Bursch, a lawyer with the conservative Christian law firm Alliance Defending Freedom that has led the legal campaign against transgender people. “And if we want a society that respects women and girls, then we need to come to terms with that truth. And the sooner that we do that, the better it will be for women everywhere, whether that be in high school sports teams, high school locker rooms and showers, abused women’s shelters, women’s prisons.”

But Heather Jackson offered different terms to describe the effort to keep her daughter off West Virginia's playing fields.

“Hatred. It’s nothing but hatred,” she said. "This community is the community du jour. We have a long history of isolating marginalized parts of the community.”

Pepper-Jackson has seen some of the uglier side of the debate on display, including when a competitor wore a T-shirt at the championship meet that said, “Men Don't Belong in Women's Sports.”

“I wish these people would educate themselves. Just so they would know that I’m just there to have a good time. That’s it. But it just, it hurts sometimes, like, it gets to me sometimes, but I try to brush it off,” she said.

One schoolmate, identified as A.C. in court papers, said Pepper-Jackson has herself used graphic language in sexually bullying her teammates.

Asked whether she said any of what is alleged, Pepper-Jackson said, “I did not. And the school ruled that there was no evidence to prove that it was true.”

The legal fight will turn on whether the Constitution's equal protection clause or the Title IX anti-discrimination law protects transgender people.

The court ruled in 2020 that workplace discrimination against transgender people is sex discrimination, but refused to extend the logic of that decision to the case over health care for transgender minors.

The court has been deluged by dueling legal briefs from Republican- and Democratic-led states, members of Congress, athletes, doctors, scientists and scholars.

The outcome also could influence separate legal efforts seeking to bar transgender athletes in states that have continued to allow them to compete.

If Pepper-Jackson is forced to stop competing, she said she will still be able to lift weights and continue playing trumpet in the school concert and jazz bands.

“It will hurt a lot, and I know it will, but that’s what I’ll have to do,” she said.

Heather Jackson, left, and Becky Pepper-Jackson pose for a photograph outside of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Heather Jackson, left, and Becky Pepper-Jackson pose for a photograph outside of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Heather Jackson, left, and Becky Pepper-Jackson pose for a photograph outside of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Heather Jackson, left, and Becky Pepper-Jackson pose for a photograph outside of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Becky Pepper-Jackson poses for a photograph outside of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Becky Pepper-Jackson poses for a photograph outside of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

The Supreme Court stands is Washington, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The Supreme Court stands is Washington, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

FILE - Protestors hold signs during a rally at the state capitol in Charleston, W.Va., on March 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Chris Jackson, file)

FILE - Protestors hold signs during a rally at the state capitol in Charleston, W.Va., on March 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Chris Jackson, file)

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