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 Left: Saint Peter's Basilica (Scott 1137, 2000) Center: Pope Francis Praying at Saint Mary Major in 2013 (Scott 1850, 2024) Right: Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Scott 1139, 2000) The funeral Mass for the late Pope Francis was celebrated in Saint Peter’s Square on Saturday, April 26. An estimated quarter of a million people filled the Square to pay their last respects, including the heads of state and delegations from over 100 countries from around the world. The Mass was celebrated by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. At the conclusion of the funeral, the casket containing the mortal remains of the pope was taken to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major for interment. His tomb is located near the Altar of Saint Francis, in the niche of the side nave between the Pauline Chapel (the location of the iconic Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel. The tomb of Pope Francis is a simple one, made from marble from the region of Liguria in northwest Italy. It is from this region, specifically from the small town of Cogorno (located about 30 kilometers southeast of Genoa), that the pope’s ancestors emigrated from Italy to Argentina in the 1800s. The simple tomb bears the inscription “Franciscus”, and also features a reproduction of Pope Francis’s pectoral cross. A photo of the tomb can be seen by clicking on the Vatican News article in the Reference section. REFERENCE: |
