Pope Francis' Tomb Adorned with Single White Rose in First Images as Mourners Line Up to Pay Respects
Pope Francis' tomb has been revealed in new images following the Roman Catholic pontiff's funeral in the Vatican City on Saturday, April 26.
The simple stone tomb displays the late pope's name 'Franciscus' in Latin alongside a single white rose and a crucifix on the wall.
Pope Francis was laid to rest at the Santa Maria Maggiore church — also known as the Basilica of St. Mary Major — in Rome in a private ceremony after his funeral, attended by around 250,000 people, on the morning of Saturday, April 26, in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City.
The pontiff's coffin was later transported in a public procession to the church where he was buried. Francis is the first pope in over a century not to be interred at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
Pope Francis died at age 88 of a cerebral stroke on April 21. In his final will he expressed his wish to be buried in a "simple" tomb in the ground," without particular ornamentation, bearing only the [Latin] inscription: Franciscus.'
Related: Pope Francis Buried at St. Mary Major, a Church with 'Very Beautiful' Connection to His Faith
"Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary," Francis wrote in his testament.
"I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care."
Mourners have lined up outside Santa Maria Maggiore church following the funeral to pay their respects to the pontiff, reported multiple outlets, including the BBC. The tomb opened on the second day of nine days of official mourning for Francis.
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Related: Prince William Joins World Leaders at Pope Francis' Funeral
Santa Maria Maggiore held deep poignancy for Francis and was one of his favorite places in Rome.
Father Patrick Briscoe, a Dominican friar and the editor of Our Sunday Visitor magazine, told PEOPLE, 'It's especially beautiful because of Pope Francis' love for the Basilica of Mary Major, which began when he was a cardinal."
"Whenever he made trips to the Vatican as a cardinal, he would come and pray in front of the icon of the Virgin Mary there, the Salus Populi Romani, and he continued that practice as pope … it became a signature of his apostolic visits."
Read the original article on People
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Implications of Adams' libel victory ‘profound', says head of BBC NI
The head of the BBC in Northern Ireland has said the implications of Gerry Adams' libel victory against the broadcaster are 'profound'. Adam Smyth, director of BBC NI, said their legal team had warned that the jury's decision in the high-profile defamation case could 'hinder freedom of expression'. The BBC has been ordered to pay the former Sinn Fein leader 100,000 euro (£84,000) after a jury decided they had defamed him in a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson. Mr Adams denies any involvement in Mr Donaldson's death in 2006. Speaking outside Dublin High Court alongside Spotlight reporter Jennifer O'Leary, Mr Smyth said they were disappointed with the verdict. He said: 'We believe we supplied extensive evidence to the court of the careful editorial process and journalistic diligence applied to this programme and accompanying online article. 'Moreover, it was accepted by the court, and conceded by Gerry Adams' legal team, that the Spotlight broadcast and publication were of the highest public interest.' Mr Smyth said the BBC had not wanted to come to court. But he added: 'It was important that we defend our journalism and we stand by that decision. 'Our past is difficult terrain for any jury and we thank them for their diligence and careful consideration of the issues in this case. 'The implications of their decision, though, are profound. 'As our legal team made clear, if the BBC's case cannot be won under existing Irish defamation law, it's hard to see how anyone's could. 'And they warned that today's decision could hinder freedom of expression. 'Of course, a case of this importance, duration and complexity involves significant expense. In common with other media organisations, the BBC has insurance and makes financial provision for ongoing and anticipated legal claims.' Mr Smyth said the BBC would now take time to consider the implications of the ruling. Ms O'Leary said she had entered the witness box in the trial with 'nothing to hide, only sources to protect and I want to thank them for trusting me'. She paid tribute to the witnesses who had appeared for the BBC in the case, including Ann Travers, whose sister was murdered by the IRA in 1984. She said: 'And there are thousands of Ann Travers across this island and in Britain – victims and survivors of the Troubles and the years after the peace agreement – who carry the burden of their grief and trauma with incredible courage. 'They are the people I'm thinking of – all of them.'
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bargain Hunt viewers demand new material on ‘predictable' BBC programme
Bargain Hunt viewers have complained that the show has become stagnant with the same format being repeated for decades on the long-running BBC programme. The stalwart series, which first aired on BBC One in 2000 with David Dickinson as host, follows two pairs of contestants who're challenged to buy antiques from vendors and sell them at auction for profit. In the latest episode, competitors were taken to King's Lynn and Swaffham in Norfolk alongside auctioneer Charlie Ross as well as antiques experts Caroline Hawley and David Fergus. Team members Kerri and Lorraine of the red team competed against Bruno and Tom of the blue team with the women swooping to victory despite making a £58 total loss on a Norwegian brooch, vintage typewriter and some dinner-service china. Viewers were left bored by the episode, with one person writing on X/Twitter: 'Bargain Hunt is so predictable. Needs a total shake up. Get[ting] rid of Charlie Ross would be first.' Meanwhile, another fan added: 'I cannot believe that utter drivel is still going and it's not changed since it first started!' Other viewers complained that the editing had been 'a bit off' throughout the episode. Bargain Hunt, now in its 25th year, regularly attracts 2 million viewers, enjoying a 35 to 40 per cent share of the TV audience, per the Royal Television Society. On the programme's quarter of a century anniversary Executive Producer Paul Tucker said 'subtle changes' had been made to the series over the years: 'Don't ruin what's good,' he said. 'But at the same time…keep changing things to keep it relevant.' It comes after Bargain Hunt fans celebrated auctioneer Charles Hanson's announcement that he would be returning to the programme on 2 June after being found not guilty of subjecting his wife to years of violence and coercive control following a three-week trial in February. Hanson first joined Bargain Hunt in 2002 when he was just 23, making him the youngest expert on the programme at the time. Upon being found not guilty of his wife's accusations Hanson told reporters outside the courtroom: 'I'm delighted that after a year and a half the truth has finally come out. I can finally live my life again. I feel this burden has finally been lifted. It has been a tormentous time and all I want now is to readjust to what has been such an ordeal.' Bargain Hunt airs on weekdays on BBC One at 12.15pm
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
British woman accused of drug offences appears in Sri Lanka court
A British woman accused of attempting to smuggle a large quantity of cannabis into Sri Lanka has appeared in court in the country. Charlotte May Lee, 21, from south London, was arrested earlier this month after authorities allegedly found 46kg of the drug in her suitcases when she arrived on a flight from Thailand. She has not yet been charged, but has previously denied knowing the alleged drugs were in her luggage. If found guilty, she could face up to 25 years behind bars. Speaking to the BBC from prison before her court appearance, Ms Lee said she had travelled from Bangkok to the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo to renew her Thai visa. The former flight attendant arrived at Negombo Magistrate's Court on Friday wearing a white knee-length dress, her long hair parted to the side. She was making a procedural court appearance while the investigation into her alleged offences continues. Ms Lee was held in a cell at the back of the courtroom before being brought to the witness box. She was visibly upset as she stood with her hands crossed behind her back, facing the magistrate. Authorities wheeled in a large brown box containing the alleged 46kg of cannabis found in Ms Lee's luggage. The narcotics division of the Sri Lanka police told the court they intend to file an update on the investigation. Ms Lee's lawyer, Sampath Perera, asked if the alleged drugs had been examined by the relevant government authorities to ascertain if the materials were in fact an illegal substance. The magistrate ordered it to be tested and for a report to be submitted to the court as soon as possible. Speaking to the BBC from a prison an hour outside of Colombo, Ms Lee appeared to be in good spirits. She described her living conditions, saying she shares a cell with five other women and sleeps on a thin mattress on the concrete floor, using whatever clothes she has as a pillow. That is where she spends most of her day, she said, although she does get to go outside for fresh air. "I can't compare it to anything," she said. "I have never been to prison and I've never been to Sri Lanka. This heat and just sitting on a concrete floor all of the time." Ms Lee said she tries not to dwell too much on her current predicament. "I am not trying to think about it. If I think, then I feel bad. I'll still rather not process it." Ms Lee said she is concerned for the other women who are also in prison. "There are people from so many different countries who have been here for two years, two-and-a-half years. And it's still just waiting and no-one actually knows anything." She has managed to find other English-speaking women with whom she has developed a kinship. But she has not been able to speak with her family since her arrest. Speaking to the BBC from outside the courthouse after the hearing, Mr Perera said the next step is to make a bail application for Ms Lee, which could take three months. Under Sri Lankan law, people being held on remand must appear before a judge every 14 days. Ms Lee is being held on suspicion of keeping illegal drugs in her possession and drug smuggling. Her next court appearance will be on 13 July. Additional reporting by Charlotte Scarr
