Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at 88, prompting global mourning and Vatican rituals. His funeral takes place in St. Peter's Square, followed by burial at St. Mary Major Basilica, a personal choice honoring his devotion to an icon of the Virgin Mary. The night before, his coffin was sealed with a recorded account of his papacy. Francisâ decision for burial outside the traditional locations in St. Peter's highlights his unique connection to the basilica. His legacy includes profound moments of prayer and devotion to the Virgin Mary throughout his papacy.
His funeral is being held on Saturday in St. Peter's Square. Francis will then be buried, according to his will, in a simple underground tomb at St. Mary Major Basilica.
The night before the funeral, the camerlengo presided over the closing and sealing of the coffin, in the presence of other senior cardinals.
Francis had said he wanted to be buried not in St. Peter's Basilica or its grottoes, but in the St. Mary Major Basilica across town.
Before and after every foreign trip, Francis would go to the basilica to pray before the Byzantine-style painting that features an image of Mary, draped in a blue robe, holding the infant Jesus.
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