Pope Francis’ burial was held on Saturday (April 26), with over 250,000 people lining the streets of St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, aged 88. He had been unwell, and his death was due to a stroke followed by heart failure.
Since his death earlier this week, officials have been busy arranging for his burial, while international leaders from around the world have traveled to Rome to pay their condolences to the late Pope.
Many people grew emotional during Pope Francis’ farewell liturgy on Saturday, including a nun who was allowed to breach decorum.
A restricted area near the Pope’s casket in St. Peter’s Basilica revealed Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, a French-Argentine nun.
Cardinals, bishops, and priests typically reserve this area for themselves, but Sister Jeanningros received permission to enter.
This is because she had a long-standing connection with Pope Francis.
A sorrowful video shows Sister Jeanningros standing near the Pontiff’s casket, wiping tears with a tissue.
People found the clip to be quite emotional on social media, with one person commenting, “So she should.” She was his friend.”
Another person added, “Our Pope and so happy that Sister Genevieve was allowed to mourn for all of us.”
And a third said, “I just want to hug her.”
It has been announced that Pope Francis will be buried with a comforting document, among other items.
The first Latin American Pontiff will be buried alongside a ‘Rogito,’ a chronicle of his life, as is traditional in the Roman Church.
Written in Ecclesiastical Latin, the official language of the Catholic Church, the document is known as ‘Deed’ in English and is sealed within a metal cylinder before being put in the coffin.
According to Vatican News, the Rogito is not the only thing typically placed in the Pope’s coffin. Pope Francis, like his predecessors, was put to rest with his pallium—a white wool vestment worn over the shoulders at religious occasions—and coins and medals made during his papacy.
The Holy See Press Office has released the whole text of the Rogito in Latin ahead of Pope Francis’ Requiem Mass today (April 26).
In the message, which Vatican News released in English, the 266th pontiff was characterized as a simple and much-loved shepherd.’