The wooden coffin of Pope Francis arrived at the Basilica of St. Mary Major just after 1 p.m. local time in Rome on Saturday, completing the solemn procession from St. Peter’s Square through the streets of Rome and bringing an end to the funeral of the late pontiff.
Nearly half a million mourners gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday morning, while crowds of faithful lined the route to St. Mary Major as the late pontiff made his final journey to the basilica he visited more than 100 times during his papacy.
Pallbearers carry the wooden coffin of Pope Francis, marked with a cross, into St. Peter’s Square for the funeral Mass on April 26, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNACrowds assemble for the funeral of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square, Saturday, April 26, 2025. Credit: Elias Turk/ACI MENA
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Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli kneels next to the coffin holding the remains of Pope Francis during the funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaSwiss Guards stand at attention during the funeral of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square, Saturday, April 26, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaCardinal Giovanni Battista Re incenses Pope Francis’ coffin during the pontiff’s funeral at St. Peter’s Square, Saturday, April 26, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaHundreds of clergy attend the funeral of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square, Saturday, April 26, 2025. Credit: Bénédicte Cedergren/EWTN NewsHundreds of thousands of mourners attend the funeral of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square, Saturday, April 26, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNAPallbearers process into St. Peter’s Basilica with Pope Francis’ coffin at St. Peter’s Square, Saturday, April 26, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaCardinals gather as Pope Francis’ coffin passes by during the pontiff’s funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica, Saturday, April 26, 2025. Credit: Vatican MediaMourners gather in the streets of Rome to see the procession of the coffin of Pope Francis, Saturday, April 26, 2025. Credit: Elias Turk/ACI MENAPope Francis’ coffin processes into the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. Credit: Zosia CzubakObservers gather on rooftops to watch as the coffin of Pope Francis processes to St. Mary Major in Rome, Saturday, April 26, 2025. Credit: Zosia Czubak/EWTNVatican officials seal Pope Francis’ coffin as Cardinal Kevin Farrell looks on during the private burial ceremony at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Saturday, April 26, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media
The Catholic News Agency (CNA) Staff is a team of journalists dedicated to reporting news concerning the Catholic Church around the world. Our bureaus are located in Washington, D.C., and Rome. We have sister language agencies in Kenya, Germany, Peru, Brazil, and Italy. CNA is a service of EWTN News. You can contact us at news@catholicna.com with questions.
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