At the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26, 2025. ROGER YU/EXPAT MEDIA

Pope Francis is laid to rest at St Mary Major Basilica in Rome. Expat Media's Roger Yu reports live from the scene

In a historic and emotional farewell, Pope Francis was laid to rest at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome on Saturday (April 26), following funeral rites at St. Peter’s Square that drew an estimated 250,000 mourners from around the world. Breaking with tradition, Pope Francis chose to be buried outside the Vatican walls, reflecting his deep connection to the people and his personal humility. His final resting place at St Mary Major Basilica, a site he frequently visited to pray before and after his travels, carries deep personal significance. Reporting live from Rome, Expat Media correspondent Roger Yu described the atmosphere at the basilica as “deeply moving,” noting, “This was the church where, every time he would travel, he would always stop by, before and after his trips, to pray to the Virgin Mary.” Yu added, “It was Pope Francis' final act to be close to the people, that’s why he wanted to be buried outside the Vatican wall in this normal neighbourhood.” The solemn motorcade carrying Pope Francis' coffin made a 4-kilometer journey through Rome’s city center, with as many as 300,000 people lining the streets. The pontiff’s burial marked a historic departure from traditional papal burials within Vatican grounds, highlighting his lifelong emphasis on humility, compassion, and inclusiveness. Earlier on Saturday at St. Peter’s Basilica for the funeral service, applause and cheers rang out as Pope Francis’s wooden coffin, inlaid with a large cross, was carried by 14 white-gloved pallbearers through the main doors. Among the dignitaries attending the funeral were UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, representing UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. He was joined by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Crown Prince’s Office at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court; and Maryam Eid AlMheiri, Chairperson of the Abu Dhabi Media Office. Global leaders, including Prince William of the United Kingdom, US President Donald Trump, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., French President Emmanuel Macron, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, also paid their final respects. Security was unprecedented, with over 2,500 police officers, 1,500 soldiers deployed, and airspace around Vatican City closed. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, in a moving homily, described Pope Francis as “a pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone,” praising his relentless advocacy for peace, refugees, climate action, and human dignity. After the burial, a group of 40 marginalized individuals — including migrants, homeless people, prisoners, and LGBTQ+ community members — greeted the coffin with white roses on the steps of the Basilica. Speaking emotionally, Yu shared a poignant tribute: "Thank you, Papa Francisco. Through your compassion and leadership, you strengthened my faith, even as someone who has often felt marginalized as part of the LGBTQ+ community. You welcomed me — you welcomed all of us — into the heart of the church. For me, you did something extraordinary: you unlocked the door. I hold onto the hope that the next Pope will walk through that door, open it wider, and continue the legacy of love, inclusion, and mercy that you so courageously began.” The funeral rites and final burial of Pope Francis not only marked the end of an era but also reflected his powerful and enduring message of humanity, inclusiveness, and peace — a legacy that continues to resonate around the globe. RY/CAM/Expat Media
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