Pope Francis, the 88-year-old pontiff who led the Roman Catholic Church through a transformative era, will be buried today in a modest ceremony, marking the close of his earthly chapter.
On the eve of his burial, the Pope’s coffin, which had been lying open in St. Peter’s Square for public viewing, was sealed in a private ritual attended by Vatican officials and members of his family.
The solemn occasion followed traditional rites, quietly observed under the watchful gaze of the global Catholic community.
True to his humble nature, Pope Francis will be laid to rest in a simple tomb in the Basilica of St. Mary Major one of Rome’s most revered Marian sanctuaries.
Constructed with stone from Liguria, the Italian region where his grandparents originated, the tomb reflects the Pope’s deep connection to his familial roots.
Speaking on television, the Coadjutor Archpriest of the Basilica, Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, announced Pope Francis’ desire to be buried in a tomb made from the “stone of Liguria, the land of his grandparents.”
The tomb bears only the inscription “Franciscus” and a reproduction of his pectoral cross, underscoring the late pontiff’s lifelong commitment to simplicity and humility.
It is located near the Altar of St. Francis, in the niche of the side nave between the Pauline Chapel (Salus Populi Romani Chapel) and the Sforza Chapel.
As the world bids farewell to a spiritual leader who championed compassion, justice, and environmental stewardship, the Church now prepares for its next chapter: the selection of a new pope to guide the flock.
