Pope Francis Laid to Rest at St. Mary Major Basilica in Private Ceremony
Pope Francis was laid to rest Saturday at St. Mary Major Basilica, following a funeral Mass at St. Peter's Square attended by presidents, princes, and as many as a quarter-million more. The leader of the Catholic church died Monday at age 88 after suffering a stroke. The burial ceremony was private, attended by top cardinals and people close to the pope, making him the first pontiff in 100 years to be buried outside the Vatican.
Where is Pope Francis buried?
Francis was buried in a private ceremony at St. Mary Major Basilica. The tomb was prepared behind a wooden barrier within the basilica that he chose to be near an icon of the Madonna that he revered and often prayed before. The simple marble tombstone bears only the engraving in Latin: "Franciscus." This choice reflected his deep devotion to the Salus Populi Romani, the Byzantine-style painting of the Virgin Mary that he visited before and after every foreign trip.
Why not the Vatican?
Pope Francis decided to be buried at St. Mary Major instead of the traditional Vatican grottoes. Before and after every foreign journey, he would go to the basilica to pray before the icon of the Madonna, the Salus Populi Romani (Salvation of the people of Rome). This personal devotion underscored his humility and preference for a simpler final resting place, away from the pomp of the Vatican.
Who attended the funeral?
World leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were among those in attendance at the morning Mass in St. Peter's Square, along with Prince William and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Other dignitaries included French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Argentine President Javier Milei, and EU Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen. Trump and Zelenskyy reportedly met privately before the service for a productive discussion about ending the war in Ukraine.
The Funeral Mass and Homily
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered the homily, eulogizing Pope Francis as a "pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone." He recalled the last image many have of Francis delivering his final blessing on Easter Sunday and saluting from the popemobile in St. Peter's Square. The funeral was choreographed by Francis himself, who revised and simplified the Vatican's rites and rituals last year to emphasize the Roman Pontiff's role as a pastor and disciple of Christ, not a powerful man of this world.
Procession and Burial
After the Mass, the pope's coffin was placed on the back of a modified popemobile, originally built for his 2016 visit to Mexico, and transported across Rome. The 6-kilometer (3.5-mile) route crossed the Tiber River and passed Italy's monumental Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the ancient Roman Forum, and the Colosseum, with crowds applauding and shouting "Papa Francesco!" At St. Mary Major Basilica, the coffin was met by about 40 migrants, prisoners, homeless, and transgender people, reflecting the pontiff's care for the marginalized. They each held a white rose as a tribute. Inside the basilica, cardinal camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell performed the rite of burial, sealing the coffin with a seal.
Cardinals Perform the Rite of Burial
The burial ceremony was private inside St. Mary Major Basilica. Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell put a seal on the coffin of late Pope Francis. The Vatican media footage showed the coffin pausing before the icon of the Madonna in a final salute, with four children laying white roses at the altar of the chapel. The coffins were then carried toward the niche where Francis was buried beneath the simple tombstone.
Thousands of Young Catholic Faithful Give Uplifting Tone
Young people from around the world had come to Rome expecting to rejoice in the canonization of Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, during the Vatican's Holy Year. Instead, they bid farewell to Pope Francis. One attendee said Francis "always said you have to be joyful about life, you have to live life in a similar way." Even those disappointed by the suspended canonization were gratified to celebrate Francis, loved for his humility and concern for the poor. Giant photographs of Acutis were seen in St. Peter's Square as a reminder of the planned canonization.
Tens of Thousands Attend Mass for Francis in East Timor
Tens of thousands of mourners attended a funeral Mass for Francis at a seaside park near East Timor's capital of Dili. Francis made a historic visit to the overwhelmingly Catholic Southeast Asian country in September 2024, drawing over 600,000 people at the main event. The local Mass reflected the global reach of his papacy and his popularity among the faithful worldwide.
A Migrant at the Basilica Says Francis Understood Their Plight
One of the migrants who met Pope Francis' coffin at his place of burial said Francis understood the difficulties faced by people who left their native countries. Annamaria Martinez of Venezuela said "Francis always looked at the best part of every person." She burst into tears as she said, "He was unique and I'm so sad now." The 53-year-old hoped that Francis' good work would continue. She was among 40 migrants, prisoners, homeless, and transgender people organized by the Sant'Egidio and Caritas charities who gathered to meet the pope's coffin, underlining his care for the marginalized.
Pope Francis' Coffin Inside St. Mary Major Basilica
Pope Francis' coffin was met by bishops and top cardinals in St. Mary Major Basilica, where he was buried in a private ceremony. Pallbearers paused before the icon of the Madonna in a final salute, and four children laid white roses at the altar of the chapel containing the icon. The Vatican media footage returned to the icon and then to the basilica's exterior to allow the burial to proceed in privacy.
JUST IN: Pope Francis' Coffin Has Been Carried Into St. Mary Major Basilica
The coffin was carried into the basilica escorted by Swiss Guards. It was met by about 40 migrants, prisoners, homeless, and transgender people each holding a white rose. Their inclusion was emblematic of his care for the marginalized. Francis is the first pope to be buried outside of the Vatican in 100 years.
Francis' Burial Site at St. Mary Major Basilica
In keeping with Francis' embrace of the marginalized, the Vatican said a group of poor and needy people met the pope's coffin to pay homage to him when it arrived at St. Mary Major Basilica for burial. The tomb had already become a point of pilgrimage. The simple marble tombstone flat against the pavement with the engraving "Franciscus" was prepared behind a wooden barrier within the basilica.
More People Turn Out in Rome to Watch the Motorcade
The motorcade for the pope's coffin continued through Rome's historic center, where crowds thickened. People were on the steps of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to catch a glimpse of the papal coffin. It continued past the ancient Roman Forum and Colosseum, to applause and shouts of "Il Papa!" (the pope). The popemobile was flanked by police on motorcycles.
The Motorcade With the Coffin Makes Its Way Across Rome
Crowds applauded and yelled "Papa Francesco!" as the slow-moving motorcade escorting the pope's coffin to his final resting place left the Vatican. The coffin was visible from atop the modified popemobile. There was more clapping and church bells rang out as the popemobile emerged from a tunnel and crossed the Tiber River.
Pope Francis' Coffin Leaves the Vatican en Route to His Burial Place
The coffin was carried on the back of a popemobile modified so mourners lining streets could view it. The 6-kilometer (3.5-mile) route crossed the Tiber River and passed Italy's monumental Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the ancient Roman Forum, and the Colosseum before reaching the basilica. The coffin was met by about 40 migrants, prisoners, homeless, and transgender people, reflecting the pontiff's care for the marginalized.
Funeral Mass Ends
Pope Francis' funeral Mass ended, and cardinals filed back into St. Peter's Basilica. The crowd applauded as white-gloved pallbearers lifted the pope's coffin to bring it back inside the basilica. From there, it was moved to the popemobile to make its way across Rome to Francis' burial place in St. Mary Major.
Meditative Chant Sung at Funeral Mass
A litany of saints was sung out during the funeral Mass, a meditative chant that is part of the traditional rites. It was followed by a blessing from Eastern rite Catholic churches chanted in Greek by patriarchs and priests. The pages of the New Testament placed atop the coffin fluttered in the wind as Cardinal Re blessed the coffin with incense and holy water.
UK's Prince William Pays His Respects
Prince William attended the funeral on behalf of his father, King Charles III. He stood side by side with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for a moment's silence in front of Pope Francis's sealed coffin. William, dressed in a dark blue suit and black tie, walked through the ornate basilica and down the steps into St. Peter's Square before shaking hands with a member of the clergy and being guided to his seat. This is the first time the prince has represented the monarch at an international funeral.
Why Did Pope Francis Change the Funeral Rites?
The changes to the papal funeral rites became necessary after Francis expressed his own wishes, and after Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI died on Dec. 31, 2022. For Benedict, the Vatican had to work out the novelty of a funeral for the first retired pope in 600 years. A few months later, Francis revealed he was working with the Vatican's master of liturgical ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, to overhaul the entire book of rites to simplify them. In explaining the reforms, Ravelli said the changes aimed "to emphasize even more that the Roman Pontiff's funeral is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful man of this world."
Vatican Says About 250,000 People Attended the Funeral Mass
The Vatican updated the number of people attending Pope Francis' funeral to 250,000. Mourners were lined up along Via della Conciliazione, which leads up to the Vatican, and followed the Mass on big screens in public squares in Rome, including outside the Santa Maria Major Basilica.
Trump and Zelenskyy Meet Before the Service
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung confirmed the meeting and said they "met privately today and had a very productive discussion." "More details about the meeting will follow," he said. Shortly after arriving in Rome on Friday, Trump said on social media that Ukraine and Russia should meet for "very high-level talks" on ending the three-year war sparked by Russia's invasion. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier Friday, and Trump said both sides were "very close to a deal."
A Calabria Parish Group Camped Out All Night
Thirteen parishioners from Calabria spent the night in a nearby square. They were already coming to Rome for the planned canonization of the first millennial saint on Sunday, which was suspended by Francis' death. Instead, they drove up a day early for his funeral. "The Lord wanted it this way, so we came all the same," said Sandra De Felice of Anoia. "For me, this is a sign that we need to be truly humble and charitable. Otherwise, we are nothing."
Pope's Coffin Sealed on Friday Evening
The coffin of Pope Francis was sealed in St. Peter's Basilica on Friday evening, ahead of the funeral on Saturday. A changing of the guards at Francis' open coffin signaled the end of the viewing period. The pope was laid out in red robes, a bishop's pointed miter, and a rosary entwined in his hands. Cardinal Kevin Farrell presided over the closing and sealing of the coffin. A white cloth was placed over the pope's face, and a bag containing coins minted during his papacy were put in the coffin along with a one-page written account of his papacy.
Ukrainian President Arrives in Rome
Volodymyr Zelenskyy's press office confirmed his arrival, joining first lady Olena Zelenska, who preceded him. Zelenskyy's presence was put in doubt after a recent missile attack.
As Many as 200,000 People Expected
While dignitaries were on hand, prisoners and migrants ushered Pope Francis into the basilica where he was buried, reflecting his priorities as pope. Francis broke with recent tradition and was buried in St. Mary Major Basilica, where a simple underground tomb awaited him with just his name: Franciscus.
Mourners Race to Find a Spot in St. Peter's Square
Faithful streamed Saturday to get a spot in standing room near the rear of the square surrounding the ancient obelisk, behind VIP seating. Many ran toward the square as barricades opened. Some carried banners for the Jubilee Holy Year that Francis opened in December and will continue despite his death.
Source: AP News News