In a poignant farewell, Pope Francis was laid to rest in Rome, drawing an unprecedented crowd of mourners. A slow-moving motorcade transported his coffin to St. Mary Major Basilica, where a private burial took place on Saturday.
Massive turnout honors the late Pope
Approximately 400,000 individuals came to pay their respects, with 250,000 gathering within the Vatican and another 150,000 lining the 5.1-kilometre procession route. This overwhelming turnout reflects the profound impact the Pope had during his lifetime, as he wished to be remembered simply as a humble priest.
A modest resting place
In a departure from recent papal traditions, Francis opted for a discreet underground tomb, which is marked solely with his Latin name, Franciscus. The burial service was attended by 40 special guests, including individuals from diverse backgrounds such as migrants, homeless people, prisoners, and members of the transgender community, each of whom came to pay their final respects.
“I wanted a simple tomb for a simple priest,” the Pope once remarked, reflecting his desire for humility.