History has a funny way of making us wait for the moments that truly change the rules. For centuries, the death of a Pope followed a script so rigid it felt like it was etched in the very marble of St. Peter’s Basilica. But when it comes to the pope francis burial live events that unfolded recently, that script didn't just get a light edit—it was basically rewritten.
He’s gone now. Honestly, it feels strange to see the Vatican moving forward under Pope Leo XIV, but the impact of how Francis chose to leave this world is still rippling through Rome. He didn’t want the gold. He didn’t want the three nested coffins or the high, ornate platforms that made past pontiffs look like medieval kings.
Instead, we saw something different. Something simpler.
What Actually Happened at the Pope Francis Burial Live
Most people expected the usual fanfare. You’ve seen it before: the body lying in state on a high catafalque, the heavy velvet, the layers upon layers of cypress, lead, and oak. But Francis had already approved the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis—a fancy Latin name for the new funeral rites—back in 2024.
He wanted to be treated like a "son of the Church," not a sovereign.
When the world tuned in to watch the pope francis burial live, they didn't see him on a raised pedestal. He was in a simple wooden coffin. And it wasn't tucked away in the Vatican grottoes where twenty-three of his predecessors are buried.
Why St. Mary Major?
This was the big shocker. Francis chose the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore). It’s about three miles away from the Vatican, tucked near the busy Termini train station. Why there?
- Devotion: He visited the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani before and after every single international trip.
- Simplicity: He felt the Vatican grottoes were too "closed off."
- History: He is the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican walls. The last one was Leo XIII in 1903.
It’s kinda wild if you think about it. The man who lived in a small guest house (Santa Marta) instead of the Apostolic Palace decided to spend eternity in a "neighborhood" church rather than the grandest basilica in the world.
The Rituals That Changed Forever
If you watched the broadcast, you might have noticed the "verification of death" didn't happen in the papal bedroom. Francis moved that to his private chapel. Small detail? Maybe. But it reflects his practical, less-ceremonial nature.
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Then there was the coffin.
The tradition of three coffins (to preserve the body for centuries) was scrapped. He was placed in a single zinc-lined wooden casket. Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the master of ceremonies, basically said the goal was to show he was a "pastor and disciple," not a "powerful man of this world."
The procession was the most "live" part of the whole event. His coffin was carried in an open-topped vehicle through the streets of Rome—past the Colosseum, past the ancient ruins—allowing the locals to scream, "Santo Subito!" and "Grazie, Francesco!" from the sidewalks. It wasn't just a Vatican event; it was a Rome event.
Where You Can Still See the Site
If you missed the pope francis burial live streams from April 2025, the site itself is now a place of pilgrimage. His tomb is in a niche near the Pauline Chapel. It’s not flashy. In fact, his will specifically asked for a tomb that was "in the earth; simple, without particular decoration."
The inscription? Just one word: Franciscus.
A Quick Reality Check on the Transition
Since we are now in 2026, the Vatican has shifted focus. Pope Leo XIV has already begun his own path, recently meeting with diplomats to discuss global peace and even planning a major trip to Spain and the Canary Islands to honor Francis’s legacy regarding migrants.
The "Live" aspect of the burial might be over, but the structural changes Francis made to the Papacy are permanent. Future popes will likely follow this "simplified" funeral path. The era of the "King-Pope" is officially dead and buried.
Moving Forward: What to Know if You Visit
If you're planning to visit the tomb of Pope Francis at Santa Maria Maggiore today, keep these points in mind:
- It’s Not St. Peter’s: Don't go to the Vatican expecting to find him in the grottoes. You need to head to the Esquilino hill.
- Respect the Liturgy: The Basilica is a working church. Mass happens frequently near the tomb area.
- Check the Icon: Make sure to look at the Salus Populi Romani icon nearby; it’s the reason he chose this spot.
The decision to move his final resting place was essentially his last act of "de-centralizing" the Church. He wanted the focus off the office and on the faith. It’s a bold move that still has traditionalists scratching their heads, but for the "Pope of the Poor," it was the only way to go.
To truly understand his legacy, you have to look at how he left. No cushions. No triple-caskets. Just a simple box and a neighborhood church.
If you want to re-watch the footage of the procession through Rome, the official Vatican Media YouTube channel still hosts the full archive of the April 26, 2025, service. It’s worth a look just to see the sheer scale of the crowds that lined the three-mile route to his final home.