Pope Francis’s burial at St. Mary Major Basilica marks a historic shift in tradition as the first pope in over a century to be laid to rest outside the Vatican.
At a Glance
- Pope Francis was buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the first papal burial outside the Vatican in over 100 years
- Over 13,000 visitors paid homage at his tomb on the first day it opened to the public
- His simple tomb features a single white rose and bears his papal name beneath an illuminated crucifix
- Pope Francis is the first pontiff to be buried at St. Mary Major in more than 300 years
- The funeral drew hundreds of thousands of mourners, with 140,000 people lining Rome’s streets for the procession
Historic Final Resting Place
The Vatican has released photographs of Pope Francis’s tomb at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, following his burial on April 26, 2025. The 88-year-old pontiff’s final resting place breaks with centuries of tradition, as he becomes the first pope in over 100 years to be buried outside Vatican grounds and the first in more than 300 years to be interred at St. Mary Major. His burial followed a solemn funeral attended by global leaders and hundreds of thousands of faithful Catholics from around the world.
The tomb itself reflects the humble character of Pope Francis’s papacy – a simple marble slab bearing his papal name beneath a crucifix illuminated by a spotlight. A single white rose adorns the tomb, capturing the pontiff’s well-known preference for simplicity over pageantry. Since opening to the public, more than 13,000 visitors have already come to pay their respects, with many more waiting outside the basilica for their opportunity to bid farewell to the beloved church leader.
A Personal Choice Reflecting Deep Devotion
Pope Francis’s decision to be buried at St. Mary Major was deeply personal and reflected his profound devotion to the Virgin Mary. The basilica holds special significance as the first church dedicated to Mary in Rome. Throughout his papacy, Francis regularly visited this basilica before and after international trips, praying before the ancient icon of Mary known as Salus Populi Romani (Protectress of the Roman People), further demonstrating his spiritual connection to this sacred space.
Cardinals in Rome have been visiting the tomb to pay their respects, passing through the Holy Door and visiting the chapel containing the Salus Populi Romani icon. Visitors have reported being deeply moved by the experience. The solemn atmosphere and the simplicity of the tomb have resonated with many who saw these qualities as defining characteristics of Francis’s papacy, which emphasized humility, service to the poor, and a more accessible church.
A Farewell Journey Through Rome
Following his public funeral at St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis’s coffin was carried through the streets of Rome in a solemn procession that drew approximately 140,000 mourners lining the route. The hearse, a repurposed white popemobile, passed by iconic Roman landmarks on its way to the basilica where a private burial ceremony took place. The procession offered the faithful a final opportunity to bid farewell to a pontiff who had led the Catholic Church for more than a decade.
During the funeral Mass, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered a homily emphasizing Pope Francis’s consistent message throughout his papacy to “build bridges, not walls.” This theme captured the essence of Francis’s approach to leadership, which sought to create dialogue across religious, cultural, and political divides. As the mourning period concludes, attention now turns to the selection of the next pope, with a conclave of 135 cardinals expected to begin in early May to choose Francis’s successor.
