Images of Pope Francis’s final resting place at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome have been released, offering the world a glimpse into the modest tomb of the late pontiff.
The simple stone tomb, bearing the name “Francis” beneath a crucifix illuminated by a single spotlight, was adorned with a solitary white rose. It reflects the humility and simplicity that characterized Pope Francis’s life and papacy.
Following his public funeral at the Vatican on Saturday, the 88-year-old pontiff was laid to rest during a private ceremony at the basilica — one of Rome’s four major churches and a place deeply significant to him throughout his ministry as cardinal and pope.
Since the basilica opened its doors to the public on Sunday morning, thousands of mourners have visited to pay their respects. Among them was Italian mourner Rosario Correale, who described the experience as “very emotional,” adding, “He really left a mark on us,” in remarks to the Associated Press.
Polish pilgrim Maria Brzezinska also reflected on the appropriateness of the tomb’s location, telling Reuters, “I feel like it’s exactly in the way of the Pope. He was simple, and so is his place now.”
Santa Maria Maggiore, the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the 4th century, holds particular significance for Pope Francis, who was known for his deep devotion to Mary. Located near Rome’s bustling Termini Station and not within the confines of the Vatican — where popes are traditionally entombed — the basilica was a spiritual home for Francis.
According to the basilica’s senior priest, Pope Francis expressed his wish to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore as early as 2022, inspired by his veneration of the Virgin Mary.
Pilgrim Amaya Morris shared her admiration, telling AP, “Out of all of the churches, he chose this one. It’s really humbling to be able to be here.”
Pope Francis’s funeral drew an extraordinary global audience, with heads of state, government leaders, monarchs, and hundreds of thousands of faithful lining the streets of Rome. Hymns filled the air from giant speakers, though they were occasionally drowned out by helicopters overhead.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 91, delivered the funeral homily, highlighting Francis’s enduring message: the call to “build bridges, not walls.”
The funeral also served as the backdrop for a high-profile meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky later described the encounter as having “the potential to become historic,” while Trump publicly questioned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to bring an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine — a conflict Pope Francis had repeatedly urged the world to resolve peacefully.
Following the funeral service, Pope Francis’s coffin was carried in a slow, solemn procession through the streets of Rome. A repurposed white popemobile transported his body past some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Altare della Patria. Authorities estimated that approximately 140,000 people lined the procession route, clapping and waving farewell.
As the period of mourning continues, attention will soon shift toward the conclave to elect the next pope. Although no official date has been set, it is expected to begin as early as May 5 or 6. With 135 cardinals expected to participate, it would mark the largest papal conclave in modern history.
