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Vatican releases photos of burial of Pope Francis' coffin
Pope Francis, who served as pontiff from 2013 until his passing on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, will be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
The Pope specifically chose this basilica as his final resting place, as stated in his testament dated June 29, 2022, where he asked to be buried in a simple, unadorned tomb inside his beloved Roman basilica.
He sought to visit this important Catholic sanctuary before and after every trip he took as pontiff.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the four major churches in Rome and is situated outside Vatican City in the Esquiline district.
Pope Francis, 88, died on Easter Monday following a stroke and cardiac arrest.
His coffin was sealed in a private ceremony at the Vatican on Friday night, and Vatican Media released photos of the burial rite on Saturday, April 26, 2025, which concluded at 1:30 pm.
A funeral Mass was scheduled for Saturday morning in St. Peter's Square, after which the funeral procession proceeded to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for his interment.
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The body of Pope Francis was transferred to St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing and will lie in state until Friday evening.
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