Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88, was laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome, following a grand public funeral at the Vatican. Images of his tomb, adorned with a single white rose, were released, revealing a serene and dignified scene. The tomb, inscribed with the name by which he was known during his pontificate, rests beneath a crucifix bathed in a soft spotlight.
Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s four major basilicas, holds special significance for the late pope. Known for his devotion to the Virgin Mary, Francis had long expressed his wish to be buried there. The basilica, dating back to the 4th century, is the first church dedicated to Mary and was a place he frequently visited during his time as cardinal and pontiff. Situated near the Colosseum, it is well outside the Vatican, where popes are traditionally entombed.
Francis’ funeral on Saturday saw a gathering of global dignitaries, including heads of state, government, and monarchs. Among the mourners were hundreds of thousands of Catholics who filled the streets, paying their respects as the pope’s hearse passed by landmarks such as the Colosseum and the Forum. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who led the service, paid tribute to Pope Francis’ legacy, recalling his repeated calls for peace and unity. He famously urged the world to “build bridges, not walls.”
Following the public ceremony, Pope Francis’ coffin was carried in a slow procession through Rome, where 140,000 mourners clapped and waved in reverence. A repurposed white popemobile served as the hearse, crossing the Tiber River and passing by some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
As the world mourns the passing of this beloved pope, attention will soon shift to the selection of his successor. The papal conclave, which could begin as early as 5 or 6 May, is expected to be the largest in modern history, with 135 cardinals set to attend.
