On April 26, 2025, Pope Francis was laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, fulfilling his wish to be buried near the icon of the Virgin Mary, Salus Populi Romani, to whom he had a deep devotion. His simple tomb, inscribed with “Franciscus” and adorned with a single white rose, reflects his commitment to humility and simplicity throughout his papacy.
Thousands of faithful gathered at the basilica to pay their respects, with many bringing white roses, symbolizing Pope Francis’s connection to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. In his earlier writings, he mentioned receiving a white rose as a sign of intercession from the saint during times of difficulty.
The Pope’s funeral mass, attended by approximately 250,000 people, was held in St. Peter’s Square and led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Following the mass, his coffin was transported through Rome to Santa Maria Maggiore, marking the first time in over a century that a pope was buried outside the Vatican.
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, after suffering a cerebral stroke. His death marked the end of a papacy characterized by efforts to bring the Church closer to the marginalized and to emphasize compassion and humility.
