Crowds Of Mourners Visit Pope Francis’ Resting Place In Rome 

Crowds of mourners gathered extracurricular nan Santa Maria Maggiore religion successful Rome connected Sunday, April 27, to sojourn nan last resting spot of Pope Francis, a time aft his ceremonial work attended by world leaders and royalty. Hundreds of group waited successful statement early Sunday morning, while an estimated 200,000 others remained successful nan vicinity of St. Peter’s Square, according to nan Vatican.

Francis breaks pinch tradition

Pope Francis, who passed distant connected Easter Monday, April 21, collapsed from contented pinch his prime of funeral site. Unlike astir popes, who are laid to remainder beneath St. Peter’s Basilica successful Vatican City, Francis is nan first pontiff successful complete a period to beryllium buried extracurricular nan Vatican. His last resting spot is nan Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, 1 of nan 4 papal basilicas successful Rome.

The pontiff was interred astatine nan basilica connected Saturday aft his woody coffin was transported done nan streets of Rome successful nan popemobile, passing nan Colosseum and thousands of mourners connected its journey.

‘Prepare your tomb’

Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, coadjutor archpriest of nan basilica, shared pinch journalists that successful May 2022, he had asked Francis if he would see being buried astatine St. Mary Major. The pope initially declined, affirming that popes traditionally should beryllium buried astatine St. Peter’s Basilica. However, 1 week later, Francis reportedly told Makrickas, “The Virgin told maine ‘prepare your tomb,’” expressing gratitude that nan Virgin had not forgotten him.

A typical Mass was held Sunday greeting successful St. Peter’s Square, led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, nan Vatican’s caput of state, who is considered nan favourite to win Francis. The Mass drew astir 200,000 attendees, according to nan Vatican.

On Monday, April 28, much than 220 cardinals will stitchery astatine nan Vatican to determine nan day for nan conclave to elite nan adjacent pope.