Political allies, Native American leaders and people touched by Bill Richardson’s work to free Americans imprisoned abroad gathered Thursday for a funeral Mass to honor a man known for his innate political skills, enormous ambition and ability to both clash and reconcile with rivals.

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President Bill Clinton was among those who paid tribute to Richardson during a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in downtown Santa Fe. Richardson served as UN Ambassador and Secretary of Energy under the Clinton administration.

Clinton and Richardson’s widow, Barbara, followed the coffin into the cathedral. Relatives of some of the political prisoners Richardson tried to free, as well as Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, were also present.

Despite Richardson’s long friendship with the Clintons, they fell out after he withdrew from the 2008 presidential race and endorsed Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton.

Still, the Clintons expressed sadness after hearing about After

Richardson’s death earlier this month,

the Clintons expressed their sorrow,

remembers him as a masterful and tenacious negotiator and a pioneer for Latinos.

The line to enter the historic cathedral stretched around the block as hundreds of people lined up inside, from members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation to tribal governors and dignitaries from around the world.

Richardson was tapped for numerous unofficial diplomatic missions throughout his career, using his talent for negotiation to free many Americans held hostage abroad.

Dozens also turned up at Richardson’s coffin on Wednesday

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lay in state in the rotunda of the Capitol. An arrangement of white roses sent by the president

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Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were joined by flowers from others who were there to commemorate the work he did for the state.

Richardson served two terms as governor beginning in 2003. His casket was flanked by police guards and draped in the New Mexico state flag with the ancient Zia Pueblo symbol of the sun.

Barbara Richardson, his wife of more than fifty years, was the first to come to the closed casket and lay her hand on it.

Richardson died in his sleep at his home in Chatham, Massachusetts.

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earlier this month at the age of 75.

Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe will preside over the funeral Mass. In addition to Clinton delivering memorable words, Mickey Bergman, vice president of the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, will also speak.

The memorial services reunited top advisers and Cabinet secretaries to Richardson during his years as governor, which were marked by splashy job creation and public works projects, the construction of a commuter rail line connecting Santa Fe to Albuquerque, a spaceport launch facility and generous incentives to bring film productions to Luring New Mexico into the era before Breaking Bad.

Richardson took initiatives with a Democratic-led Legislature that ended the death penalty in the state, abolished sales taxes on prescription drugs and food in efforts to combat poverty and renewed collective bargaining rights for government workers that had been granted under his Republican predecessor had expired.