'Grazie, Francesco': World Mourns as Pope Francis is Laid to Rest in Rome

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis, the 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church who championed the poor and marginalized, was laid to rest Saturday in Rome, following a moving funeral Mass at St. Peter's Square. Hundreds of thousands of mourners, along with world leaders, gathered to pay their final respects to a pontiff remembered for his humility and dedication to building bridges.

A City Says Farewell

The funeral, held on a clear April morning, drew an estimated 250,000 people to St. Peter's Square and the surrounding streets. Kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers, cardinals and archbishops were among those in attendance, a testament to Pope Francis's global influence. Notable figures included Presidents Trump and Zelensky, who held their first meeting since February, and Prince William representing the British Royal Family. The service, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, was a blend of solemn tradition and heartfelt tributes to the late pontiff.

Following the funeral Mass, Pope Francis's coffin was transported through the streets of Rome to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, his chosen final resting place. Thousands lined the route, applauding as the popemobile-turned-hearse passed by. The procession underscored Francis's desire to be close to the people, even in death.

A Final Resting Place Steeped in History

In a break with recent tradition, Pope Francis chose to be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a fifth-century church in the heart of Rome. He is the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican. The last pope to be buried there was Clement IX in 1669. Pope Leo XIII was the last pontiff to be buried outside the Vatican, at the Church of Saint John Lateran, in 1903.

Francis had expressed a desire to be entombed in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in 2023. The Basilica holds special significance for the late Pope, as he visited it to pray before and after his foreign travels. He will be laid to rest near the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani, a revered image of the Virgin Mary.

Upon arrival at the Basilica, the coffin was met by a group of migrants, prisoners, homeless individuals, and transgender people, each holding a white rose. This inclusion was emblematic of Francis's commitment to the marginalized, a defining characteristic of his papacy. Pallbearers paused before the icon of the Madonna, and children laid white roses at the altar of the chapel containing the icon. The burial itself was a private ceremony, attended by close family members and Vatican officials.

A Pontiff of Firsts

Pope Francis's funeral and burial were marked by several breaks with tradition, reflecting his emphasis on simplicity and pastoral leadership. In 2024, Francis approved reforms to the funeral rites in the "Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis," simplifying several elements.

One significant change was the elimination of the traditional three coffins – cypress, lead, and oak – in favor of a single, simple wooden coffin with a zinc interior. This decision underscored Francis's desire to be remembered as a shepherd and disciple of Christ, rather than a powerful figure of the world.

Other key moments in the papal funeral tradition remained in place. The coffin included a bag of coins minted during his papacy and a short biography known as a "rogito," which was placed inside a metal tube.

A Legacy of Humility and Service

Pope Francis's health had been a concern in recent years. He was hospitalized several times, including a five-week stay earlier this year while battling double pneumonia. He also had a history of lung issues, having had part of a lung removed in his youth. In July 2021, he had 33cm of his colon removed to address diverticulitis, a condition that later returned. In June 2023, he underwent surgery for an abdominal hernia. Despite these challenges, he remained active and committed to his role as Pope until his death.

His papacy, which began in March 2013, was characterized by a focus on social justice, environmental protection, and interfaith dialogue. He was a vocal advocate for the poor and refugees, and he challenged the Church to be more inclusive and compassionate.

The Future of the Church

Following Pope Francis's burial, the Vatican will enter a period of mourning. Masses will be said in his memory for nine days, a period known as the "Novemdiales." Cardinals will then gather in a conclave to elect his successor. The election of a new pope is a momentous occasion for the Catholic Church, and the world will be watching closely as the cardinals deliberate and choose the next leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics.

The legacy of Pope Francis, a pontiff who championed humility, service, and a Church that reaches out to the margins, will undoubtedly shape the future direction of the Catholic Church for years to come. His emphasis on simplicity and pastoral care has left an indelible mark on the papacy, and his call for a more just and compassionate world will continue to inspire people of all faiths.