Pope Francis’s funeral drew nearly 200,000 people to St. Peter’s Square, with some reports initially stating around 250,000 attendees. Following the funeral Mass celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Pope’s remains were interred in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. This location was chosen according to Pope Francis’s wishes, who had a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary Salus Populi Romani, an icon housed in the basilica.
The funeral procession traveled through Rome’s streets, passing through crowds of mourners who gathered to pay their respects. As the coffin arrived at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, it was carried by coffin bearers and gravediggers to its final resting place on the left side of the temple at ground level. The tomb, made of Ligurian marble from Italy, bears the simple inscription “FRANCISCUS” and features a reproduction of his pectoral cross, as per his last wishes.
Interestingly, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore holds significance beyond Pope Francis’s burial. It’s where Spanish Saint Ignatius of Loyola celebrated his first Mass as a priest, ultimately leading to the founding of the Society of Jesus. During the Protestant Reformation, the Salus Populi Romani icon became a symbol of allegiance to the Pope.
Pope Francis passed away on 21 April 2025, at the age of 88, due to complications from a stroke. His death led to a papal conclave scheduled between May 6 and 12, 2025, to determine his successor.