Pope Francis Laid To Rest at Saint Mary Major.

By Timilehin Ajibade

The mortal remains of the 266th Holy Father, Pope Francis’ has been laid to rest near the icon of Mary Salus Popoli Romani after been carried through Rome to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

A funeral Mass was held outdoors on Saturday morning, with heads of state, including US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy in attendance. It was the first time the two leaders were meeting after their public spate two months ago.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, who was joined by approximately 250 cardinals, patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, priests, and consecrated religious led the Requiem Mass for the pontiff.

Speaking to a crowd of mourners and global dignitaries during his homily, Cardinal Re described the global outpouring of affection following Pope Francis’ passing as a powerful testament to his impact on the Church and humanity.

“The final image we have of him, etched in our memory, is from last Sunday—Easter Sunday,” Re recalled, noting how the frail pontiff, despite serious health issues, made a surprise appearance to bless the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and later greeted crowds from the Popemobile.

Cardinal Re praised Pope Francis’ unwavering commitment to service, even in his final days, saying he followed a path of “self-giving until the last day of his earthly life.”

Reflecting on the beginning of his papacy, the Dean recounted Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s election on March 13, 2013, highlighting his decades of experience in the Society of Jesus and his 21 years of pastoral leadership in Buenos Aires.

His choice of the name “Francis,” inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, immediately signaled the values and style he would bring to the papacy.

“His language, rich in imagery and metaphors, always sought to illuminate the problems of our time through the wisdom of the Gospel,” Re said. “He offered responses rooted in faith, urging Christians to live with hope through the challenges of what he often described as an ‘epochal change.’”

Voice for Peace in Troubled Times

The homily also reflected on Pope Francis’ strong stance on global conflicts. He was a consistent and passionate voice for peace, repeatedly condemning war as a tragic and senseless defeat.

“War always leaves the world worse than it was before,” the Dean quoted him. “It is the death of hope.”

Cardinal Re emphasised one of Pope Francis’ most repeated messages: “Build bridges, not walls,” a phrase that captured the pope’s dedication to dialogue, inclusion, and humanity.

As the Church now mourns the 266th pope, Cardinal Re invited the faithful to pray for Pope Francis, remembering the late pontiff’s own frequent request: “Do not forget to pray for me.”

“Now, dear Pope Francis,” he concluded, “we ask you to pray for us. Bless the Church, bless Rome, and bless the world from heaven, just as you did from the balcony of this Basilica in your final embrace of God’s people.”