VATICAN— The doors have now closed behind Pope Francis’ coffin at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, marking the beginning of a private burial ceremony away from public view.
As Rome paused in solemn reflection, the pallbearers moved the late Pope’s casket inside for one final, intimate farewell.
True to his humble spirit, Francis requested a simple burial—just a modest tomb in the ground, bearing only the inscription “Franciscus,” the Latin version of his papal name.
Unlike the grandiose ceremonies that often accompany papal funerals, Pope Francis insisted on something different. His request for a plain tomb speaks volumes about the man he was: a leader who preached simplicity, humility, and service until the very end.
The coffin was carried inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s oldest and most significant churches. A brief private service is underway there, although the Vatican confirmed it would not be televised.
It’s a sharp contrast to the grand public farewell earlier in St. Peter’s Square, where tens of thousands gathered to pay their last respects.
Inside Santa Maria Maggiore, mourners are gathering quietly to honor the beloved Pope during the private rites. Outside, the atmosphere remains heavy yet peaceful, a city united in grief but respecting the private nature of these final moments.
Even though today’s service is closed to cameras and public broadcasts, the Vatican has announced that visitors will be welcome to see Francis’ tomb starting Sunday morning.
Pilgrims from around the world are expected to flock to the basilica to pay tribute to the first pope from the Americas—and one of the most transformative figures in modern Catholic history.
Pope Francis’ death closes a remarkable chapter in the Church’s story. But his influence, from his advocacy for the poor to his push for reform within the Church, will ripple for generations.
In choosing simplicity in death, just as he did in life, Francis reminds the world that greatness isn’t built on grandeur—it’s carved in acts of compassion, humility, and hope.
