DAILY UPDATE: Pope Francis's Final Journey - A Humble Burial, Conclave Contenders, and Controversies Surrounding Mourning Rituals

Pope Francis’s burial at the Basilica of St. Mary Major is a deeply personal tribute to his Ligurian roots, with a simple tomb crafted from slate stone, honoring his family’s homeland. The tomb bears only the Latin inscription "Franciscus" and a reproduction of his pectoral cross, reflecting his lifelong devotion to humility. Meanwhile, the world mourns his passing, and attention is shifting toward the upcoming papal conclave, where leading candidates, such as Pietro Parolin, Péter Erdő, and Luis Antonio Tagle, are in the running for the papacy.

As the Vatican prepares for the conclave, a renewed interest in the film Conclave has sparked comparisons between its fictional characters and real-life papal contenders. The conclave will begin in early May, following the nine days of mourning.
In Rome, an unexpected controversy arose when mourners took selfies with Pope Francis’s body, sparking tension and revealing the clash between centuries-old traditions and modern social media culture. Despite Pope Francis’s embrace of modern communication, the incident has raised questions about reverence in the age of smartphones.

Meanwhile, in Argentina, Francis’s deep connection to his beloved San Lorenzo soccer club has taken on a symbolic significance, with the number on his membership card aligning eerily with the time of his death. Tributes to the Pope are flooding Buenos Aires, with discussions about naming a stadium in his honor and commemorations that blend mourning with celebration.

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