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Pope Francis Lies in State: A Global Farewell Begins for the People's Pontiff

Vatican City — The world now beholds an image both sacred and shattering: Pope Francis lies in state, his earthly journey at an end, his spiritual legacy just beginning its eternal echo. In solemn images released by the Holy See, the late pontiff is seen in crimson liturgical vestments, crowned with a bishop’s mitre, and holding a rosary—symbolizing peace, prayer, and perseverance.

The scene is not merely ceremonial. It’s a moment that captures the soul of a man who redefined what it meant to lead the Church in the 21st century.

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Breaking Centuries: A Pope’s Final Wish Defies Convention

In a profound departure from centuries of papal tradition, Pope Francis requested to be buried not beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, like his predecessors, but within the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore—a deeply personal choice rooted in faith, not formality.

This unorthodox final wish, revealed in his sealed testament, reverberates beyond Rome’s cathedrals. It signals the ultimate gesture of humility from a man who consistently favored humanity over hierarchy.

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Why Santa Maria Maggiore? A Sanctuary of Silent Devotion

To the casual observer, Santa Maria Maggiore may be just another majestic church. But for Pope Francis, it was sacred ground. Before and throughout his papacy, the then-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio would quietly visit the basilica to pray before the revered icon of Salus Populi Romani—the “Protectress of the Roman People.”

In those intimate moments of whispered prayer, he sought guidance, strength, and sanctuary. By choosing this basilica as his eternal resting place, he offers the world one final sermon: true holiness is born not in grandeur, but in grace.

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Between Two Altars: Honoring Both Reform and Ritual

Although his burial will take place at Santa Maria Maggiore, Pope Francis’s body will first lie in repose at St. Peter’s Basilica, possibly as early as Wednesday. Here, under Michelangelo’s grand dome, the faithful will gather to pay their final respects.

The Papal Funeral Mass, expected between Friday and Sunday, will blend solemn liturgy with touches of simplicity inspired by Francis’s Argentine roots. It will be a funeral fit for a reformer—dignified, diverse, and deeply human.

Rome is preparing for an unparalleled farewell. The Vatican mourning rites, steeped in centuries-old ritual, will unfold alongside modern expressions of grief and gratitude:

• Public Viewing at St. Peter’s: Mourners will pass through the basilica’s nave, some in tears, others in silent awe.

• Funeral Mass led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re (as is customary when a reigning pope does not officiate).

• World Leaders and Millions of Pilgrims converging on the Eternal City in a massive show of unity and remembrance.

This moment will not just mark the end of a papacy—it will symbolize a seismic transition for the Roman Catholic Church.

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The Legacy of Pope Francis: A Papacy That Changed the World

Love him or criticize him, Pope Francis was a spiritual disruptor. He washed the feet of refugees, opened doors to the LGBTQ+ community, challenged wealth-hoarding in the clergy, and embraced environmental stewardship. His reign was not about comfort—it was about conscience.

As he lies in state, the world looks on—not just in mourning, but in meditative reflection. How did one man manage to challenge an institution built on millennia of tradition, and yet remain so deeply loved?

Because he led with heart. With humility. And with a constant reminder that the Church belongs to the people.

This isn’t just a funeral. It’s a global inflection point. A farewell to a radical reformer, a theologian of the people, and a shepherd who never lost sight of his flock.

Whether you're Catholic or not, religious or secular, this moment speaks to all of humanity. Because in Pope Francis, we saw a man who dared to bring heaven just a little closer to Earth.