Images released show a serene stone tomb adorned simply with a white rose, marking the resting place of Pope Francis, who was interred in a private ceremony at Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome following his public funeral. The burial spot, bearing the name he was known by during his pontificate, is illuminated by a soft beam of light from a nearby crucifix. Thousands gathered at the basilica, venerating the pope who passed away at age 88 on Monday.
Rosario Correale, an Italian pilgrim, expressed the emotional gravity of visiting the site, attesting to the profound impact Pope Francis had on many. "He really left a mark on us," Correale conveyed to the Associated Press. Another visitor, Polish pilgrim Maria Brzezinska, echoed this sentiment, noting that the simplicity of the tomb reflected the deceased pontiff's character.
Santa Maria Maggiore holds special significance as it was the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, a figure Francis held in high regard. Even prior to his passing, Francis had expressed a desire to be interred there, a wish told to the church's senior priest, who spoke to Italian news outlets about the pope's deep connection to the site.
The funeral ceremony captivated the world, attended by global dignitaries alongside thousands of mourners lining the streets to honor the pontiff. Highlights included hymns resonating through the air, occasionally overshadowed by helicopters overhead, while Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered a heartfelt tribute to Francis’s legacy, emphasizing his call for unity and peace.
As the procession moved through Rome, it was met with an outpouring of affection; over 140,000 people clapped and waved as the hearse, a modified white popemobile, maneuvered past iconic landmarks.
In the wake of this unprecedented mourning period, discussions about the upcoming papal conclave will soon commence, with expectations set to begin around early May, potentially involving a record number of 135 cardinals. This momentous transition in the Church points to not only the end of Francis's era but the beginning of a new chapter for the Vatican.
Rosario Correale, an Italian pilgrim, expressed the emotional gravity of visiting the site, attesting to the profound impact Pope Francis had on many. "He really left a mark on us," Correale conveyed to the Associated Press. Another visitor, Polish pilgrim Maria Brzezinska, echoed this sentiment, noting that the simplicity of the tomb reflected the deceased pontiff's character.
Santa Maria Maggiore holds special significance as it was the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, a figure Francis held in high regard. Even prior to his passing, Francis had expressed a desire to be interred there, a wish told to the church's senior priest, who spoke to Italian news outlets about the pope's deep connection to the site.
The funeral ceremony captivated the world, attended by global dignitaries alongside thousands of mourners lining the streets to honor the pontiff. Highlights included hymns resonating through the air, occasionally overshadowed by helicopters overhead, while Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered a heartfelt tribute to Francis’s legacy, emphasizing his call for unity and peace.
As the procession moved through Rome, it was met with an outpouring of affection; over 140,000 people clapped and waved as the hearse, a modified white popemobile, maneuvered past iconic landmarks.
In the wake of this unprecedented mourning period, discussions about the upcoming papal conclave will soon commence, with expectations set to begin around early May, potentially involving a record number of 135 cardinals. This momentous transition in the Church points to not only the end of Francis's era but the beginning of a new chapter for the Vatican.
