Pope Francis laid to rest at Saint Mary Major

By Muzha Kucha, Radio Nigeria

Pope Francis has been entombed at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, the first Pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican. Hundreds of thousands lined the streets to bid him farewell during a private entombment ceremony

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

Speaking to a crowd of mourners 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.

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Pope Francis laid to rest at Saint Mary Major
by Muzha Kucha2 days ago

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried during the funeral Mass of Pope Francis. Photo: npr.org
Pope Francis has been entombed at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, the first Pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican. Hundreds of thousands lined the streets to bid him farewell during a private entombment ceremony

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

Speaking to a crowd of mourners 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.

A view of St. Peter’s square during the Requeim Mass for Pope Francis. Photo: ABC News
A Life of Service and Simplicity
“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.”

Editing by Adeniyi Bakare