Following a dignified Requiem Mass, Pope Francis’ funeral procession made its way through Rome to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where his earthly remains would find their final resting place.
The streets of the Eternal City were lined with more than 150,000 mourners who came to bid farewell to the pontiff.
Just days earlier, on Easter Sunday—the day before his passing—Francis had circled St. Peter’s Square in his popemobile, unknowingly offering his last goodbye to the faithful.
Saturday’s solemn procession traveled past Rome’s ancient landmarks, including the fallen soldiers’ monument in Piazza Venezia.
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The late Pope, who had devoted his papacy to advocating for peace, was carried past the historic Roman Forum and the Colosseum—where just one week prior, his moving Good Friday Way of the Cross meditations had been read aloud, condemning what he called “the economy of indifference” while calling for “an economy of peace.”
As the popemobile-turned-hearse arrived at Saint Mary Major Basilica, Francis’ coffin was raised toward the gathered crowd for a final farewell.
Inside the Basilica, before entering the Pauline Chapel, the Pope’s coffin was positioned to face the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani (Protectress of the Roman People), then brought to the prepared burial niche beside it.
The burial rite followed the prescriptions of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis (Order of the Funeral Rites of the Roman Pontiff), led by Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell.
In attendance were those specified by the Office for Liturgical Celebrations, along with the deceased Pope’s family members.
The ceremony concluded at 1:30 PM.Pope Francis now rests in the burial niche located in the side nave between the Sforza Chapel and the Pauline Chapel, which houses the beloved Marian icon.
As many observed, the Pope who held such devotion to the Blessed Mother has been laid to rest where they will remain eternally close to one another.
