- First pope buried at St. Mary Major Basilica in modern history
- Rogito scroll and papal coins sealed in three-layer coffin
- 88 world leaders attended Vatican funeral rites
The Catholic world united on Saturday as over 200,000 mourners gathered in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’s funeral Mass. The Argentine pontiff’s unprecedented request for burial at St. Mary Major Basilica – bypassing traditional papal tombs beneath St. Peter’s – fulfilled his lifelong devotion to the Salus Populi Romani icon. Vatican liturgists preserved ancient traditions, including the camerlengo’s ritual sealing of the zinc-lined casket with wax stamps bearing the Apostolic Chamber’s seal.
Regional significance emerged through the pontiff’s 2013 Lampedusa visit, where he condemned Europe’s migrant policies. This Mediterranean island case study reflects his legacy of prioritizing marginalized communities. Analysts note 63% of current cardinal electors were appointed by Francis, increasing likelihood of continuity in church leadership priorities like climate action.
Post-funeral protocols initiated the novemdiales mourning period, marked by daily memorial Masses. The College of Cardinals now prepares for a conclave expected to begin May 5th. While Hollywood’s Conclave film dramatizes voting tensions, real-world proceedings follow strict rules: burned ballots after morning/afternoon sessions, not individual votes, with chemically enhanced smoke signaling results.
Liturgical experts highlight three symbolic departures from tradition: Francis’s pinewood coffin (vs. ornate papal caskets), omission of the Liber Dies chronicle, and burial beneath a plain marble slab near the Marian icon. These choices align with his 12-year focus on humility, exemplified by rejecting red papal shoes and Apostolic Palace residency.
