In a poignant farewell, Pope Francis was buried inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, a church that held a special place in his heart. The funeral mass, held in St. Peter’s Square, was attended by thousands of devotees and world leaders, paying their respects to the beloved pontiff.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas, was chosen as the final resting place for Pope Francis due to his deep devotion to the Marian icon “Salus Populi Romani” (“Health of the Roman People”), which is housed within the church. The Pope’s connection to the basilica ran deep, with visits before and after international trips and hospital stays.
The decision to bury Pope Francis in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is a testament to his enduring devotion to the Virgin Mary and the significance of the church in his spiritual journey. As a cardinal, he would often visit the basilica, and it was there that he found solace and strength in his faith.
The basilica itself is a masterpiece of architecture, completed in its present state in 1743. Its stunning beauty and rich history made it the perfect setting for Pope Francis’s final rest. The tomb, designed with simplicity and elegance, features an enlarged rendering of his pectoral cross, bearing only the name “Franciscus.”
Pope Francis’s burial in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore marks a new chapter in the church’s history. He is the first pope to be buried here since Pope Clement IX in 1669, and his presence will undoubtedly draw pilgrims and devotees from around the world.
As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and the institutions he shaped. His burial in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to serving others and spreading the message of love and compassion.
