In a heartfelt display of remembrance, hundreds gather at Pope Francis's tomb after the public funeral, reflecting on his legacy and choice of burial site.
Images of Late Pope Francis's Tomb Unveiled in Rome
Images of Late Pope Francis's Tomb Unveiled in Rome
Emotional tributes paid as mourners gather at the Santa Maria Maggiore church.
Images showcasing the serene resting place of Pope Francis have been made public, depicting a stone tomb marked with the name he held during his papacy. A simple white rose rests atop the tomb, illuminated softly beneath a crucifix. Following his public funeral at the Vatican on Saturday, the late pope was interred in the Santa Maria Maggiore church, a site of deep personal significance for him.
The basilica, one of Rome’s four major churches, has been filled with mourners since its doors opened on Sunday. Rosario Correale, an Italian visitor, shared his emotions after viewing the tomb, saying, "He really left a mark on us." Meanwhile, Polish pilgrim Maria Brzezinska expressed that the simplicity of the pope's final resting place aligns with his character, remarking, "He was simple, and so is his place now."
Santa Maria Maggiore is known for its devotion to the Virgin Mary, a figure the pontiff was profoundly connected to. This connection led Pope Francis to express his desire to be buried there—a wish communicated back in 2022. Pilgrim Amaya Morris reflected on the significance of this choice, calling it “humbling to be able to be here.”
The funeral gathering was monumental, attended by a diverse array of global leaders and hundreds of thousands of Catholics. The event featured stirring hymns played through massive speakers, accompanied by the presence of helicopters overhead. In his homily, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re highlighted Pope Francis's lifelong message: "build bridges, not walls".
An interesting aside to the funeral was a private meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, which sparked hopes for a historic outcome. Following the funeral rites, Pope Francis's coffin was paraded slowly through Rome, drawing an estimated 140,000 attendees.
As the period of national mourning comes to a close, discussions are set to begin regarding the selection of a new pope. Though a timeline is yet to be confirmed, the next conclave is projected to convene as early as May 5 or 6, potentially set to become the largest in modern church history, with 135 cardinals in attendance.
