Images of Pope Francis's resting place have emerged, showcasing a stone tomb adorned with a single white rose, illuminated beneath a crucifix at the Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome. Following his public funeral at the Vatican on Saturday, Francis was laid to rest in the basilica to fulfill his wish of being interred away from the Vatican, following a private ceremony that resonated with his humble approach to leadership.
Since opening to the public on Sunday morning, the church has seen thousands of mourners, including Italian pilgrim Rosario Correale, who described visiting the tomb as "very emotional." Polish visitor Maria Brzezinska felt the resting place honored his simple nature, stating, "He was simple, and so is his place now." The basilica, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the first of its kind built in the 4th Century, was one that Francis frequented as both cardinal and pope.
In a previous conversation, the senior priest indicated that Francis expressed desire to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore in 2022, being inspired by the dedication to the Virgin Mary. Pilgrim Amaya Morris shared her awe at Francis's choice of the site, reflecting on her humbling experience there.
The public funeral attracted numerous state leaders and dignitaries, alongside hundreds of thousands of devout Catholics who lined the streets, an event marked by hymns and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re's homily, urging the world to "build bridges, not walls," echoing the pontiff's call for peace throughout his tenure.
As the hearse traversed Rome, authorities reported over 140,000 people paid tribute, cheering as the procession passed iconic structures like the Colosseum and the Forum. Shortly after mourning, attention is set to shift towards the upcoming papal conclave, expected to occur in early May, signaling the potential for one of the largest gatherings of cardinals in the church's modern history. The next chapter in the papacy looms as the legacy of Pope Francis continues to inspire reflection and reverence.
