Images of the tomb of the late Pope Francis have been shared, showcasing a serene final resting place at the Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome. The church, one of the major basilicas in the city, hosted a private burial ceremony after the pope's public funeral on Saturday. The stone tomb is adorned with a single white rose lying atop, illuminated by soft lighting under a crucifix.
Since the church opened to the public on Sunday morning, thousands of people have been visiting to honor the life of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88. Mourners have expressed their emotional connections to the late pope, as seen in comments from individuals like Rosario Correale, who noted, "He really left a mark on us," to the Associated Press. Another visitor, Maria Brzezinska from Poland, reflected on the simplicity of the resting place, stating, "He was simple, and so is his place now."
While traditionally popes are buried within the Vatican, Pope Francis chose Santa Maria Maggiore due to his deep devotion to the Virgin Mary. The basilica holds historical significance as the first dedicated to her, dating back to the 4th century. This desire to be laid to rest there was expressed by the pontiff himself in 2022, as shared by one of the church's senior priests.
Francis's funeral was a global event, attended by world leaders and an estimated 140,000 Catholics who gathered in Rome to pay their respects. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered a heartfelt homily, underscoring Pope Francis's message of "building bridges, not walls." Meanwhile, the funeral inadvertently set the stage for a significant meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky amidst ongoing conflicts.
The slow procession following the public funeral allowed citizens of Rome to bid farewell to their beloved pope as his hearse, a modified popemobile, journeyed past iconic landmarks. Anticipation now surrounds the upcoming conclave responsible for electing the next pope, scheduled to commence as early as May with 135 cardinals expected to participate—setting the stage for a significant moment in the Church's history.
