Vatican City, April 26 (H.S.) : The funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 in Vatican City, was held today at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore instead of the customary St. Peter’s Basilica. This departure from tradition followed Catholic Church rituals and was attended by approximately 250,000 people, including nearly 170 world leaders, among them about 50 heads of state and 10 emperors. Notable attendees included India's President Droupadi Murmu, former U.S. President Donald Trump, and French President Emmanuel Macron, while WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was also present.
Prior to the funeral, the coffin of the 266th Pope was sealed in St. Peter’s Basilica at 8 PM local time on Friday. Cardinal Kevin Farrell read a document placed inside the coffin during this sealing ritual, with other Cardinals and Vatican officials in attendance. Over three days, about 250,000 individuals paid their respects at St. Peter’s Basilica. This marks the first Latin American pope's burial in Santa Maria Maggiore, as Pope Francis had requested a simple grave. His funeral commenced on Saturday morning at 10 AM, and after the service, his coffin was respectfully transported in the 'Pope Mobile.' At 88, Pope Francis shared his last message: Christ has risen! signaling the essence of life.
Francis's closed cypress coffin was surrounded by religious leaders and dignitaries, with a gospel fluttering above. St. Peter’s Square was filled with hundreds of thousands of mourners, and around 250,000 had lined up in preceding days to honor him. Dressed in red vestments and scuffed black shoes, Francis lay in state.
After the service, his coffin was transported in a customized white vehicle, the popemobile, through the streets of Rome. He was privately buried at St. Mary Major, with his grave marked simply as “Franciscus.”
In a reflection of his humble nature, Francis had authorized simpler funeral guidelines compared to previous pontiffs, yet the ceremony retained traditional elements, enhanced by the solemn harmonies of his personal choir.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
