New images reveal Pope Francis's tomb, located at the iconic Santa Maria Maggiore church, as thousands come to pay their respects.
Images of Pope Francis's Tomb Unveiled at Santa Maria Maggiore
Images of Pope Francis's Tomb Unveiled at Santa Maria Maggiore
The late pope's resting place captures the simplicity and devotion he embodied throughout his life.
Images of the newly unveiled tomb of Pope Francis have emerged, showcasing the serene resting place located in Rome's Santa Maria Maggiore church. A single white rose adorns the stone slab, marked with the name he held during his papacy, under a soft spotlight cast by a crucifix. The late pope was interred here following a private burial ceremony after his public funeral at the Vatican on Saturday, a gathering attended by a multitude of mourners and dignitaries worldwide.
The Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, one of the largest in Rome, held particular significance for the late pontiff, who regularly visited it during his tenure as cardinal and pope. On Sunday, mourning fans began lining up to honor Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88. Italian visitor Rosario Correale described the experience as deeply emotional, while Polish pilgrim Maria Brzezinska emphasized that the simplicity of the tomb truly reflected Pope Francis's character and ministry.
Renowned for his devotional relationship with the Virgin Mary, Pope Francis had expressed his wish to be buried at this basilica back in 2022, noting the deep inspiration he drew from Mary. "It's humbling to be here," remarked Amaya Morris, another attendee.
The funeral ceremony, which saw heads of state, government leaders, and countless faithful flock to Rome, was accompanied by poignant music and was characterized by a homily from 91-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re who highlighted the late pope's call for unity, urging the world to "build bridges, not walls."
Among the notable moments during the ceremony was a significant encounter between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. As the funeral procession proceeded through Rome, about 140,000 mourners greeted the hearse, which was a modified popemobile, along its route past historical landmarks.
With a period of mourning underway, attention is soon expected to turn to the selection of Pope Francis's successor, with speculation surrounding the forthcoming conclave potentially beginning as early as May, involving 135 cardinals in what could be the largest gathering of electors in modern papal history.
