In a moving tribute to his lifelong humility and dedication to the marginalized, Pope Francis was laid to rest on Saturday at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. His final resting place, a modest underground tomb, bears only his papal name, Franciscus, in keeping with his wishes for simplicity.
The funeral mass, held at St. Peter’s Square, drew an estimated 250,000 mourners from across the world—rich and poor alike—who gathered to pay their last respects to a pontiff who had dedicated his life to service. After the mass, Pope Francis’ coffin was transferred to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major for a private burial.
Leading the funeral rites, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re remembered the late pope as “a pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone.” His words encapsulated the spirit of Francis’ papacy, marked by compassion, humility, and a focus on the marginalized.
Despite the presence of global dignitaries, including U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Argentine President Javier Milei, it was prisoners, migrants, transgender individuals, and the poor who welcomed the pope’s casket into the basilica. Their presence reflected the late pontiff’s unwavering commitment to those often overlooked by society.
The Vatican confirmed that 164 delegations, including 54 heads of state and 12 reigning sovereigns, attended the historic event. French President Emmanuel Macron arrived early enough to visit and offer his private tribute.
Tens of Thousands Pay Final Respects
Over a three-day period, tens of thousands lined up, many waiting for hours, to say farewell to Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at age 88 after suffering a stroke. The overwhelming turnout led the Vatican to keep the basilica open throughout the night to accommodate the mourners.
Among those paying their respects was Angele Bilegue, a nun who visited three times to pray at the pope’s coffin. “He was my friend, so I went one last time to say goodbye,” Bilegue said tearfully. “I cried.”
Pope Francis lay in state dressed in red robes, wearing a bishop’s miter, with a rosary entwined in his hands. His simple black shoes, worn and scuffed from years of use, further symbolized his commitment to a life of modesty.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, acting as the camerlengo, oversaw the final rites, which included placing a white cloth over the pope’s face and adding a bag of coins minted during his papacy and a document known as the rogito into the coffin. The rogito recounted his life’s journey from his Argentine childhood to his election as pope, highlighting his defense of the innocent, his writings, and his enduring illnesses.
“He was a simple and much-loved pastor in his archdiocese, who traveled far and wide, also by subway and bus,” the document noted. “He lived in an apartment and prepared dinner alone, to feel like an ordinary person.”
‘One Day, We Will See Each Other Again’
Among the emotional tributes were those of Rome residents Aurelia Ballarini, 72, and Francesca Codato, 78. For Ballarini, Pope Francis was a daily presence through his social media messages, offering comfort and inspiration.
“He gave everything, up to the end,” Ballarini said. “I spent the last two days crying. For me, he flew away. One day, we will see each other again.”
Codato, who once favored Francis’ predecessor, St. John Paul II, said she felt remorse for not embracing Francis earlier. “I feel guilty because, through the videos I have seen these days, I have realized he was a man of enormous humanity,” she confessed. “I came to ask forgiveness.”
Cardinals Begin Preparations for New Leadership
The conclave to elect a new pope will not begin before May 5, after nine days of mourning. Cardinals have already started arriving in Rome, with 149 gathering Friday morning for preliminary discussions. Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo described the mood as “good,” though he emphasized that discussions were still in the early stages.
Bustillo, who hosted Pope Francis during his last visit to Corsica, remembered him fondly as “a free man who humanized the church without desacralizing it.”
Burial at St. Mary Major
Fittingly, a group of Rome’s poor and homeless gathered at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major to welcome Francis’ coffin. The late pontiff’s burial site lies behind a temporary wooden barrier, close to the revered Salus Populi Romani icon of the Madonna, a fixture in Francis’ prayer life.
The Vatican released photographs showing the marble tombstone set flat against the basilica’s floor, simply inscribed “Franciscus,” in line with the late pope’s final wishes.
Cardinals are expected to return to St. Mary Major on Sunday, where they will pass through the Holy Door and pray at the Salus Populi Romani icon in honor of the late pope.
Tight Security Measures in Place
Given the immense turnout and the presence of numerous dignitaries, Italian authorities deployed more than 2,500 police officers and 1,500 soldiers across Rome. An armed naval vessel was stationed offshore, and fighter jets were put on alert, local media reported.
The funeral procession from the Vatican to the basilica, spanning over four kilometers (about 2½ miles), drew as many as 300,000 mourners along the route.
Dignitaries and Royals Pay Their Respects
Among the notable attendees were U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prince William, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy initially confirmed his attendance, he later indicated he might remain in Ukraine due to pressing domestic concerns amid the ongoing war.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, traveling with former First Lady Melania Trump, arrived in Rome shortly after the pope’s coffin had been sealed.
As the world bids farewell to Pope Francis, his legacy of humility, compassion, and service to the marginalized will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations to come.
