Pope Francis was buried this Saturday in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
Internet
Published at: 26/04/2025 10:29 AM
Pope Francis was buried this Saturday, April 26, in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome after the coffin was moved from St. Peter's Square in the popemobile and traveled six kilometers, being applauded by thousands of people.
The Vatican press service reported that “at 13:00 (11:00 GMT) the rite of burial of the Roman pontiff's coffin began. The rite took place in accordance with the prescriptions of the 'Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis' (the document The Order of the Burial of the Roman Pontiff) presided over by the cardinal chamberlain in the presence of the persons specified in the corresponding notification of the Service of Liturgical Ceremonies and families of the deceased pope and ended at 13.30 (11.30 GMT)”.
He also specified that about five thousand people were present in the square itself and the rest gathered in the surrounding streets.
In some places there were giant screens that broadcast the ceremony. The Holy See estimated that around 250,000 came to St. Peter's Basilica in three days for the pontiff's last farewell.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, responsible for the mass, recalled the main moments and features of Francis' pontificate, describing him as “a pope among the people”.
Thousands of faithful accompanied the coffin from the Vatican to the burial site in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. In the afternoon, as in previous days, a requiem prayer will be held in the square in front of the church. On the morning of April 27, the burial site will be available for worship.
After the public ceremony in St. Peter's Square, a private ceremony will take place in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, presided over by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell.
The funeral mass marks the beginning of nine official days of mourning, called Novemdiales; each day a mass will be celebrated in memory of Francis.
The cardinals will then meet at the Vatican for the conclave, where they will vote in secret to choose Francis' successor.
To date, it has not been announced when it will begin, but it usually happens between 15 and 20 days after the death of the pontiff. That would suggest that it will probably start sometime after May 06.