Pope Francis has been buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major after his coffin crossed the center of Rome, marking the pontiff’s final goodbye to the Eternal City.
After his funeral Mass which took place in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, the pope’s coffin left the Vatican via the Perugino Gate at 12:30 p.m. local time.
The simple casket was transported in a popemobile-style pickup truck and greeted with applause and cheers of “goodbye, Pope Francis,” and “good journey, Francis,” from a small crowd gathered just outside the Vatican.
The white car carrying the papal coffin drove through Rome, the city of which Pope Francis was bishop, past the white Monument to Victory Emmanuel II, the Roman Forum, and the Colosseum, to arrive at Via Merulana, a street leading to the main square of the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
The Vatican and local authorities estimate 150,000 people lined Rome’s streets to wave goodbye to Pope Francis’ coffin. Around 400,000 people attended the funeral Mass.
A small procession of cardinals, bishops, priests, and other Vatican officials led the way into the Marian basilica and to the side chapel housing Francis’ favorite icon of Mary, “Salus Populi Roman,”.
The pope’s burial site, at his request, is the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where seven other popes are buried in the basilica, with roots dating back to the fifth century.
The burial rite, which was carried out in a private ceremony, began with prayer intercessions, asking the Lord to have mercy on Pope Francis, to “accept his good works,” and to “pardon his sins.”
The ceremony proceeded with the chanting of the Our Father and the recitation of other prayers in Latin.
After the chant, Pope Francis’ coffin was laid in the tomb, and Cardinal Kevin Farrell, camerlengo, sprinkled it with holy water, while the Marian antiphon “Regina Caeli” was sung.
Some cardinals, Vatican officials, Francis’ personal secretaries, and family members, were present for the private burial.
April 26 marks the first day of a nine-day mourning period for the Catholic Church, known as the “novendiales.” During the nine days, cardinals will celebrate daily Masses for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul.
The College of Cardinals will meet every day starting Monday to discuss the future of the Church and the qualities needed in her next leader.
The conclave to elect the new pope is expected to begin the first week of May.
