Pope Francis funeral updates: Pope Francis laid to rest after historic funeral in front of 250,000

Francis, 88, died on Monday at the Vatican.

ByKevin Shalvey and Jon Haworth
Last Updated: April 26, 2025, 11:45 AM EDT

Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, was buried Saturday at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major after dying one week ago at 88 years old.

Francis, who took his name after Saint Francis of Assisi, was known for his outreach to the poor and those in poverty and that will be reflected in his minimalist burial at Saint Mary Major. He is the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in over a century and the first to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore in more than 300 years.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Apr 26, 2025, 6:47 AM EDT

Thousands of people line the streets of Rome as Pope Francis heads to final resting place

Tens of thousands of people have lined the four-mile route between St. Peter's Basilica and Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where Pope Francis will be laid to rest this afternoon.

People gather along the road as the coffin of late Pope Francis is transported from St Peter's Basilica to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, during the funeral ceremony in Rome, April 26, 2025.
Andrej Isakovic/AFP via Getty Images

People could be seen crying and applauding the vehicle carrying his coffin as thousands took the final opportunity to thank Pope Francis.

For the funeral procession from St. Peter's to Santa Maria Maggiore, where Pope Francis is to be buried, the back end of a popemobile that Francis had used has been adapted, ANSA reported.
12:03
Converted popemobile leads funeral procession for Pope FrancisFor the funeral procession from St. Peter's to Santa Maria Maggiore, where Pope Francis is to be buried, the back end of a popemobile that Francis had used has been adapted, ANSA reported.
ABCNews.com

The procession is taking the pope's body past a number of Rome's historical landmarks, including the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.

People gather along the road as the coffin of late Pope Francis is transported from St Peter's Basilica to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, during the funeral ceremony in Rome, April 26, 2025.
Kevin Coombs/Reuters

When Pope Francis arrives at Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major, it will be the last time he will be seen in public before he is buried, and the basilica reopens to visitors again on Sunday.

Apr 26, 2025, 6:30 AM EDT

Bells toll for Pope Francis as funeral concludes

The coffin carrying Pope Francis was carried through the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica for a final time on Saturday morning as bells tolled for the pope throughout the Vatican.

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Pope Francis at the end of his funeral Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters

The Vatican is now reporting that the number of people present as Francis’ funeral nears its end is more than 250,000.
4:07
Bells toll in St. Peter's Square in honor of Pope FrancisThe Vatican is now reporting that the number of people present as Francis’ funeral nears its end is more than 250,000.
ABCNews.com

The funeral, lasting over two hours, concluded with bells ringing for the pontiff as tens of thousands gathered to mourn.

Pope Francis' coffin will now be taken to Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major where he will be laid to rest.

Apr 26, 2025, 6:22 AM EDT

Cardinal Dolan brings 'your hearts' to pope's funeral

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, said in a short video that he brought "your hearts" with him to the Vatican.

"I just want you to know that I bring your sentiments, and your intentions and your hearts with me at the funeral this morning," Dolan said in the video, which he said was filmed in Vatican City just prior to Saturday's funeral.

Apr 26, 2025, 6:20 AM EDT

More than 250,000 in Vatican

The Vatican is now reporting that the number of people present as Francis’ funeral nears its end is more than 250,000.

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried at the end of the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

-ABC News' Phoebe Natanson

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