Photographs of Pope Francis's tomb have emerged, featuring a simple yet poignant design reflected through an emotional burial ceremony attended by thousands in Rome.
Images of Pope Francis's Tomb Unveiled Following Private Burial
Images of Pope Francis's Tomb Unveiled Following Private Burial
The late Pope Francis was laid to rest at Santa Maria Maggiore church, sparking emotional tributes from mourners visiting his tomb.
Images depicting the resting place of the late Pope Francis have been released, revealing his tomb situated at the Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome. A single white rose rests on the stone monument that carries the name he embraced during his papacy, accompanied by a crucifix subtly illuminated under a spotlight. Following his public funeral in Vatican City on Saturday, the late pope was buried in this historic basilica, renowned as one of the four major churches in the Italian capital and frequented by Francis both as cardinal and later as the pontiff.
Since the church opened its doors to the public on Sunday morning, thousands of mourners have queued to pay their respects to Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 the previous Monday. Among those visiting was Rosario Correale, an Italian, who described the experience as "very emotional," stating, "He really left a mark on us." Another pilgrim, Maria Brzezinska from Poland, felt the tomb was fitting for the humble Pope, remarking, "I feel like it's exactly in the way of the Pope. He was simple, and so is his place now."
Santa Maria Maggiore, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and constructed in the 4th Century, was a particularly significant location for Pope Francis. Notably, he had expressed a desire to be buried there in 2022, choosing this site over the Vatican, and had a longstanding connection to it. As Amaya Morris, another mourner, stated, "I thought it was amazing that he wanted to be buried here in this basilica... It's really humbling to be able to be here."
The funeral attracted an array of dignitaries, including heads of state and monarchs from various nations, alongside hundreds of thousands of Catholics lining the streets to pay their respects. The service featured hymns broadcast to adoring crowds, alongside reflections on Pope Francis's legacy from 91-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who emphasized the pope’s calls for unity, urging listeners to “build bridges, not walls.”
In a notable event during the funeral, US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky had a discussion that could pave the way toward historical developments regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which Pope Francis had strived for peace throughout his papacy. Following the public funeral, a grand procession through Rome showcased Pope Francis's coffin as 140,000 mourners clapped and cheered while the hearse, modified from a popemobile, crossed the Tiber and passed significant landmarks such as the Colosseum and the Forum.
As the period of mourning concludes, the attention of the Catholic Church will soon shift towards the selection of the next pope, with potential dates for the conclave anticipated as early as May 5 or 6. This conclave is expected to host 135 cardinals, marking it as the largest assembly of its kind in modern history.
