Pope Francis was buried inside his favourite Rome church, the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, after a funeral mass in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican said on Saturday.
The Argentinian pontiff, who died on Monday aged 88, was laid to rest during a 30-minute burial ceremony that started at 1:00 pm local time.
The funeral, attended by over 250,000 mourners, was a “simplified” ceremony, as per Pope Francis’ wishes.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re honored Francis’ ability to lead with “an open heart toward everyone” during the service.
Mourners remembered the “people’s pope” for his humanity and open-minded approach.
The funeral saw one of the largest gatherings of world leaders in recent years, with over 100 delegations in attendance.
Notable guests included US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Britain’s Prince William.
Trump and Zelensky met minutes before the funeral, discussing a potential deal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
A White House spokesman said the two leaders “had a very productive discussion.”
Zelensky’s spokesman added that the meeting lasted about 15 minutes, and the leaders agreed to continue talks.
Zelensky also held sideline meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The “rite of the Entombment of the Roman Pontiff” began at 1 pm local time, presided over by Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
The ceremony concluded at 1:30 pm, and Pope Francis was entombed at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, as per his wishes.
His tomb will be inscribed only with the word “Franciscus.”
Francis is the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican’s walls.
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