The body of Pope Francis lies in his private chapel at the Vatican on Monday for church officials to say their goodbyes. At left, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin prays. Photo: Vatican Media
(The Post News)- Pope Francis will be buried on Saturday morning in St Mary Major Basilica in Rome, bringing to a close a papacy defined by compassion, humility and an unrelenting focus on the poor and marginalised.
The 88-year-old Argentine pope, the first from Latin America, died on Monday after suffering a stroke that left him in a coma. He passed away in his residence at the Domus Santa Marta, where he had been recovering from a long hospital stay with pneumonia. His death was formally announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo who now oversees Vatican operations until a new pope is elected.
Francis made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, greeting crowds from his popemobile in St Peter’s Square, the same square where he was introduced to the world back in 2013. His farewell ride felt like a full-circle moment for many. Vatican insiders, like Sister Nathalie Becquart, reflected on his final days with reverence. “He truly gave everything he had, up to the end,” she told reporters after paying her respects.
Starting Wednesday, the public will have the chance to do the same, as Francis lies in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica. His funeral will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m., led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Leaders from across the globe, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei, are expected to attend.
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi pointed to Francis’ push to elevate women’s roles in the Church as one of his most lasting legacies. “He wanted to be buried under the shadow of a woman, in this case Maria,” said Ravasi, explaining the pope’s decision to rest near the Salus Populi Romani icon, a Byzantine image of Mary and Jesus that held a deep personal meaning for him. The decision to avoid traditional papal burial customs reflects the simplicity Francis championed in life. His coffin, a plain wooden casket, won’t rest on a raised platform but will face the pews, with the Paschal candle standing nearby.
Around the world, tributes poured in. Flags were lowered, bells tolled, and stadiums fell silent. In East Timor, President Jose Ramos-Horta remembered him as a man of courage. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu praised his bold calls for justice and environmental care. “He was a pope who never shied away from getting his hands dirty,” said Cardinal Baldassarre Reina. “For him, the poor and the migrant weren’t just causes; they were Christ himself.”
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