150,000 Gather for Pope Francis’s Funeral Procession to St Mary Major

Rome: Around 150,000 people gathered along the route of the procession carrying Pope Francis’s coffin from Saint Peter’s to his final resting place at the Rome Basilica of Saint Mary Major. The faithful assembled to bid their final farewell after his funeral on Saturday.

According to Ansa News Agency, the coffin was transported to Saint Mary Major in an adapted popemobile, refitted as a hearse to enable mourners to see the coffin as it passed through the streets of the Italian capital. This alteration allowed the public to pay their respects to the late pontiff as he made his final journey.

Pope Francis had a special connection with Saint Mary Major. He frequently visited the basilica to pray before and after every apostolic journey. In his testament, he expressed his wish to be buried there, rather than in St Peter’s like most other popes.

The Vatican announced that it will be possible for the public to visit Francis’s tomb at St Mary Major starting Sunday. Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88, after serving 12 years as the leader of the Catholic Church.