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.
The private ceremony for the entombment of Pope Francis has concluded, according to the Vatican press office.
The rite of the entombment began at 1 p.m. local time following the pope's funeral at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and a 4-mile procession through Rome. Hundreds of thousands of mourners lined the streets and filled St. Peter's Basilica to pay their final respects to the late pontiff.
Senior cardinals and members of Francis' family were present as he was laid to rest at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.
The coffin of Pope Francis is carried up the steps of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore after the pontiff's funeral ceremony in St. Peter's Square, in Rome, April 26, 2025.
Ciro Fusco/EPA-EFE via Shutterstock
Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, presides over the entombment of the late Pope Francis in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, April 26, 2025.
Vatican Media Handout via EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, presiding over the entombment of the late Pope Francis in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, April 26, 2025.
Vatican Media Handout via EPA-EFE via Shutterstock
Apr 26, 2025, 7:29 AM EDT
Trump departs Rome as Francis' burial proceeds
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have boarded Air Force One after attending Pope Francis' funeral.
The president met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of the funeral, but any additional meetings with foreign leaders on the sidelines of the burial will likely be delayed since the plane has already departed Rome.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One at Fiumicino Airport, as they leave after attending the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, near Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wave before they board Air Force One at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Rome, after attending the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican.
Evan Vucci/AP
Apr 26, 2025, 7:18 AM EDT
Valerie Herrera says Pope Francis 'touched her heart' after infamous, sweet interaction with him in 2015
Valerie Herrera, a 26-year-old from Illinois, told ABC News that Pope Francis “touched her heart” after she was involved in a notable interaction with the pontiff in 2015.
ABC News and "World News Tonight" held a historic town hall in 2015, where Pope Francis participated in a virtual audience with Americans from across the country, moderated by ABC News anchor David Muir.
Pallbearers carry the coffin of Pope Francis, at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major during his funeral, in Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025.
Claudia Greco/Reuters
The groundbreaking event, held Aug. 31, 2015, marked the first time a pope had ever engaged in such direct dialogue with Americans through virtual technology.
The pope spoke for nearly an hour via satellite to groups including Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago; Sacred Heart Church in McAllen, Texas; and homeless individuals and outreach workers in Los Angeles.
Valerie Herrera was 17 when she shared her story with Pope Francis about struggling with a rare skin disorder and turning to music to cope with bullying. In a touching moment during the virtual town hall, the pope asked her to sing for him.
2:28
Valerie Herrera reflects on singing to Pope Francis at 2015 ABC News town hallValerie Herrera a 26-year-old from Illinois told ABC News that Pope Francis “touched her heart” after she was involved in a notable interaction with the pontiff in 2015.
ABCNews.com
As cheers filled the room at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago, Herrera sang a song of her choice, moving many in the audience. The pope thanked her with his characteristic warm smile.
Now 26 and working as a nurse outside Chicago, Herrera reflects on that transformative moment.
"When I think about Pope Francis, I remember his warming and welcoming smile when he asked me to sing for him," Herrera told ABC News. "That's the face I will always remember."
Herrera detailed how the moment with the pontiff inspired her in her carrer and personal life, saying it "taught me to just to be more of a woman of faith that is here to serve others, that is here to provide care as a nurse."
"I have the responsibility to care for those that are under my care. I have the responsibility to provide and give everything that I have in order to ensure that people are healing, people are getting better, and to provide the love and compassion that family members and patients really need in their time of weakness when they're sick," Herrera said.
Apr 26, 2025, 7:18 AM EDT
Francis prayed at chapel next to tomb before and after trips
The chapel next to where Francis was being buried is home to a Byzantine-style icon of the Madonna, the Salus Populi Romani.
Pallbearers carry the coffin of Pope Francis, at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major during his funeral, in Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025.
Claudia Greco/Reuters
1:04
Pope Francis’ coffin enters final resting place of Saint Mary MajorPope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, will be buried Saturday at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major after dying one week ago at 88 years old.
ABCNews.com
Francis was particularly devoted, and reportedly would pray before the icon before and after each of his foreign trips during his 12 years as pope.
