Vatican City • In a solemn and majestic funeral on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Roman Catholic Church on Saturday laid to rest Pope Francis, the first South American pope, whose simple style, pastoral vision and outsize footprint on the world stage reinvigorated and divided the institution that he led for a dozen years.

As thousands of people gather in Rome to remember the life of Pope Francis at a funeral in St. Peter’s Square, Fr. John Bartunek joins Saturday TODAY to reflect on the legacy Pope Francis left on the Catholic Church and what the next steps will be for selecting the next pope.

Some people said the pope's compassion inspired them. Others said he was too liberal or that no pope would affect how they think about their Catholicism.