Pope Francis Honored: Funeral Held at Basilica of Saint Mary Major
Addis Ababa, April 26, 2023 — Pope Francis was interred at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, placed in a modest underground grave marked only with his papal title: Franciscus.
The funeral held on Saturday drew an estimated crowd of up to 250,000 individuals from all walks of life—rich and poor—who gathered to show their respect, as reported by Africanews.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who delivered the eulogy for Pope Francis, remembered him as "a pope close to the people, with an open heart toward all."
Following the funeral Mass at St. Peter's Square, the pontiff's casket was transferred to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for a private interment ceremony.
Even with the presence of the president and princes, it was the prisoners, transgender individuals, migrants, and impoverished folks who greeted his body as it entered the church en route to its final destination.
The pope wished for the ceremony to embody the key aspects of his papacy, with an emphasis on portraying himself primarily as a simple priest instead of a prominent religious authority.
World leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei, alongside members of royalty, gathered in Rome for the funeral proceedings. However, it is the assembly of underprivileged individuals paying their respects at a modest cross-town basilica near his resting place that aligns better with Pope Francis' unassuming nature and aversion to grandeur.
The Vatican stated that 164 delegations have been confirmed for attendance, with 54 being led by heads of state and another 12 by reigning monarchs. Among them, French President Emmanuel Macron, who arrived in time, will join others paying their final tributes to the Pope at his funeral.
Paying respects
Thousands of grieving individuals stood in queues for several hours over a period of three days to pay their last respects to Francis, who passed away on Monday following a stroke at the age of 88. The unexpectedly large crowd led the Vatican to keep the basilica open past its usual hours overnight.
Sister Angele Bilegue, a member of the convent, was one of the final individuals to grieve. This marked her third visit to express her condolences, which included an earlier occasion within the Vatican at his dwelling place in the Domus Sant’Marta. She mentioned that during this previous visit, she had prayed for six consecutive hours beside his casket.
She mentioned, 'He was my friend, so I made one final visit to bid farewell,' and added that she shed tears.
The shift in personnel around Francis' open casket marked the conclusion of the viewing for the pope, dressed in crimson vestments, a bishop’s peaked hat, and holding a rosary in his fingers. He was interred wearing his much-used black footwear, complete with scratches on the toes—a symbol of the humble lifestyle he advocated.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell took on the role of camerlengo, serving as the temporary Vatican administrator, for the ceremony where he closed and sealed the casket. Photos provided by the Vatican show that a white cloth was laid across the late Pope's face, and alongside him, a pouch filled with coins from his pontificate was included inside the casket. Additionally, a single sheet summarizing his papal tenure was also placed within.
The account, called a rogito, summarized his whole life's story, from his childhood in Argentina as the son of parents with Italian heritage through his priesthood and promotions eventually to archbishop and cardinal in Buenos Aires — and then pope. It highlighted his “defense of innocents,” his encyclicals and also his illnesses.
He was a humble and well-loved priest within his diocese, frequently traveling long distances using subways and buses," stated the document describing his role as archbishop. "He resided in a modest apartment where he would cook meals for himself, enjoying a sense of being just an average individual.
We shall meet once more.
Aurelia Ballarini and Francesca Codato, Roman neighbors and former flight attendants, visited Francis on Friday for distinct reasons. At 72 years old, Ballarini aimed to cope with her sorrow, whereas 78-year-old Codato sought absolution.
For Ballarini, the pope's death leaves a hole in her life. While only 16 years younger than Francis, she considered him a grandfather figure. Every morning, she would log on to Facebook for his daily greeting, and respond “with a couple of words.”
He held nothing back and devoted every part of himself until the very end," stated Ballarini. "Over the past couple of days, I've been in tears. After his departure, I didn't feel good—I couldn't bring myself to utter the word. To me, it feels like he has taken flight. Someday, we'll meet once more.
Codato mentioned that she experiences intense guilt regarding Francis because she abandoned him due to her loyalty to one of his predecessors, St. John Paul II. She felt that when Francis became pope, "he was like an outsider to me."
I feel ashamed because after watching several videos recently, I realized he was an incredibly humane person who connected with ordinary folks," she stated. "Therefore, I am here seeking pardon since my guilt toward him feels as small as a worm.
Cardinals ‘are in discussions’
The process for the conclave to select a new pope will not commence before May 5, following at least nine days of public mourning.
Cardinals have started converging on Rome, where 149 of them gathered for an initial discussion session on Friday morning regarding ecclesiastical matters. Their subsequent meetings will commence only next week, indicating that setting a date for the conclave is improbable before the funeral takes place.
Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo, who welcomed Francis during his recent papal visit to Corsica last year, recalled him as “a liberated individual” who “brought humanity to the church without diminishing its sanctity.”
He characterized the ambiance within the meetings as "positive," however, he mentioned that they hadn't reached the stage for making decisions; they were still in the phase of discussions.
Papal burial
In keeping with Francis’ embrace of the marginalized, the Vatican said a group of poor and needy people will meet the pope’s coffin to pay homage to him when it arrives at St. Mary Major Basilica for burial on Saturday. It has already become a point of pilgrimage.
The tomb is being prepared behind a wooden barrier within the basilica that he chose to be near an icon of the Madonna that he revered and often prayed before. The burial will take place in private, the Vatican said.
Images provided by the Vatican on Friday reveal a plain marble slab lying flush with the ground, inscribed simply in Latin as per his final wishes expressed in his last will: "Franciscus."
On Sunday, cardinals plan to stop at the St. Mary Major Basilica. They will pass through theHolyDoor to see the reveredSalusPopuliRomaniicon, cherished by Francis, and join in the celebration of vespers, according to the Vatican statement.
Security measures
Italy is sending over 2,500 law enforcement personnel and 1,500 military troops to ensure safety during the funeral. This event is anticipated to draw around 200,000 attendees at St. Peter’s Square and potentially as many as 300,000 individuals lining a 4-kilometer (2½-mile) path stretching from the Vatican to the late Pope’s final resting spot through Rome.
According to reports from Italian media, the primary security measure involves deploying an armed naval ship offshore along with keeping groups of combat aircraft ready for action.
Royals and leaders
Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, is set to arrive on Friday, following the sealing of Francis' coffin.
The press office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier verified his attendance. However, speaking to journalists on Saturday evening near the location of a recent missile strike, he mentioned that he would join if his schedule allows, considering his domestic commitments due to the continuing conflict.
Included among the other international officials attending the papal funeral are:
— UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
— Prince William
— King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain
— Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
— The Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva