Pope Francis's Tomb Opens to Public After Funeral in Rome

Farewell to Pope Francis

• 🕊️ Hundreds of thousands gathered on Saturday to pay respects to Pope Francis, who was known as the "people's pope."
• 🌍 The funeral service, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, celebrated the life of the 88-year-old pontiff, the first Latin American and Jesuit pope.
• 🏛️ World leaders, including President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, attended the funeral service.

Procession and Burial

• 🚶‍♂️ Breaking from tradition, Pope Francis was laid to rest outside the Vatican, with his casket processed through the streets of Rome.
• 🏟️ The coliseum served as a backdrop during the procession, allowing tens of thousands lining the streets to say their goodbyes.
• ✝️ His casket was carried into the Basilica of St. Mary Major and placed in a private burial next to an icon of Mary.

Public Visitation and Mourning

• 📍 On Sunday, the tomb of Pope Francis in St. Mary Major Basilica became available to visitors.
• 🙏 Roman Catholic faithful began filing past the simple white tomb to pay their respects.
• 🗓️ The period of mourning will last nine days, followed by the papal conclave.