Pope Francis was laid to rest on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, fulfilling his wish to be buried in the historic church he cherished throughout his papacy.
His burial marked a significant departure from long-standing tradition, as he became the first pope in over a century not to be interred beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.
The funeral Mass, celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, took place in St. Peter’s Square and drew an estimated 250,000 mourners, including world leaders, royalty, and pilgrims from around the globe. Following the solemn Mass, Pope Francis’s simple wooden coffin was transported through the streets of Rome to the Basilica, where he was laid to rest near the revered icon of Mary, Salus Populi Romani — a symbol of his lifelong devotion to the Virgin Mary.
The decision to be buried at St. Mary Major underscores Pope Francis’s enduring commitment to humility, simplicity, and service, qualities that defined his papacy. His final resting place is marked only with the name “Franciscus,” reflecting his vision for a modest and inclusive Church.
World leaders and Catholic faithful alike have paid tribute to Pope Francis as a “people’s pope,” lauding his tireless advocacy for the poor, his efforts to modernise the Church, and his emphasis on compassion and social justice. His burial concludes a historic chapter for the Catholic Church, leaving a legacy rooted in love, service, and simplicity.
In a notable moment at the funeral, Presidents Trump and Zelensky met briefly inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Zelensky described the meeting as potentially “historic and symbolic,” emphasising hopes for a “full and unconditional ceasefire” and “lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out.”
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