More than 250,000 people filled St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, April 26, to celebrate the life of Pope Francis. His Reverend Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, presided over the funeral liturgy at 10 a.m. which was attended by more than 200 cardinals and 750 bishops and priests, more than 50 heads of state, foreign delegations from more than 130 countries, and 4,000 journalists.

At his request, Pope Francis was buried in a simple wooden casket. At the conclusion of the Mass, his coffin was placed on the popemobile and transported through the streets of Rome, which were lined with mourners, to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. There he was buried in a simple tomb, bearing only his name: Franciscus. Near the tomb is an icon of the Virgin Mary to which he was greatly devoted: Salus Populi Romani, or The Protectress of the Roman People. It is one of the oldest Marian images in existence and he visited the image 126 times during his papacy.

Pope Francis died on April 21 after appearing on Easter Sunday to give the Urbi et Orbi blessing and ride in the popemobile to greet the faithful in St. Peter’s Square gathered for Easter. 

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re concluded his homily with these words: 

“Pope Francis used to conclude his speeches and meetings by saying, ‘Do not forget to pray for me.’ Dear Pope Francis, we now ask you to pray for us. May you bless the Church, bless Rome, and bless the whole world from heaven as you did last Sunday from the balcony of this basilica in a final embrace with all the people of God, but also embrace humanity that seeks the truth with a sincere heart and holds high the torch of hope.”