Images of Pope Francis’s mausoleum at the Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome have been disclosed.
A single white rose was depicted lain on the stone tomb that carries the name by which he was known during his pontificate, beneath a crucifix that was illuminated by a single spotlight.
Following his public funeral in the Vatican on Saturday, the late pope was laid to rest at the church, which was one of four main basilicas in the Italian capital and a location he would frequently visit during his tenure as cardinal and pontiff. The ceremony was conducted in private.
The church has been open to the public since Sunday morning, and thousands of mourning have been passing by the tomb to pay their respects to Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Monday.
One of the individuals was Rosario Correale, an Italian national, who described the experience as “extremely emotional.” “He truly made an impression on us,” he stated to the Associated Press.
The resting site was deemed appropriate for the man by Polish pilgrim Maria Brzezinska. “I am of the opinion that it is precisely in the Pope’s path.” Following her visit, she informed the news agency Reuters, “He was uncomplicated, and his residence remains so.”
The Virgin Mary was the subject of Francis’s particular devotion, and Santa Maria Maggiore was the first cathedral to be dedicated to her during its construction in the 4th century.
The basilica is situated in close proximity to the Colosseum, a mere stone’s throw from the city’s perpetually chaotic and teeming central Termini station. It is situated far beyond the confines of the Vatican, where popes are traditionally interred.
But it was one that the South American pontiff had a long-standing fondness for.
Prior to this, the senior priest of the church informed an Italian publication that Pope Francis expressed his desire to be interred there in 2022, citing the Virgin Mary as his source of inspiration.
According to Amaya Morris, another pilgrim, “I found it remarkable that he desired to be interred in this basilica.”
“This church was his preference among all the others.” So I found that to be truly remarkable. I am truly humbled to be present.
Francis’s funeral was attended by heads of state, heads of government, and monarchs from around the globe, as well as hundreds of thousands of Catholics who lined the streets leading to the Vatican to pay their respects..
Before Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, a 91-year-old priest, delivered a homily on the pope’s legacy, hymns were played on massive speakers, intermittently muffled by the sound of helicopters flying overhead.
The cardinal underscored that Pope Francis had consistently encouraged the global community to “erect bridges, not walls.”
Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, stated that the ceremony had the “potential to become historic” following a meeting between him and US President Donald Trump.
Subsequently, Trump expressed doubts regarding the readiness of Russian President Vladimir Putin to terminate the war in Ukraine, which has been ongoing for three years. Pope Francis had consistently advocated for peace during his papal tenure.
The coffin of Pope Francis was transported through Rome in a slow procession following the public funeral.
The hearse, a repurposed white popemobile, made its way across the Tiber river and passed by some of Rome’s most iconic landmarks, including the Colosseum, the Forum, and the Altare della Patria national monument on Piazza Venezia. According to authorities, 140,000 individuals had lined the streets, applauding and waving.
After a period of mourning, attention will soon turn to the selection of the next pope.
A date has not yet been set but it is thought it could start as early as 5 or 6 May, with 135 cardinals set to attend, making it the largest conclave in modern history.
Politicians and royalty joined thousands of mourners as Pope Francis’ funeral was held in St Peter’s Square.
Later, huge crowds lined the streets of Rome to watch as the Pope’s coffin was carried in a procession to his final resting place, Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.
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