Pope Francis’ funeral ended at the Basilica of Mary Major
The ‘Mary’ in the Basilica of Mary Major That Pope Francis Prayed To
(Photo by Joyce Thiel, June 2013)
Pope Francis’ funeral has been going on today.
Pope Francis is buried at St. Mary Major Basilica
April 26, 2025
Pope Francis was laid to rest Saturday at St. Mary Major Basilica, following a funeral Mass at St. Peter’s Square attended by presidents, princes and as many as a quarter-million more. https://apnews.com/live/pope-francis-funeral-updates
Toward Saint Mary Major
In accordance with the spiritual testament of the Bishop of Rome, the coffin will then be transported to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. The funeral procession will cover a distance of about four kilometers through the streets of the capital at a slow pace.
This journey will allow Romans to bid farewell to their Bishop along a path he often took to pray before the icon of the Virgin Salus Populi Romani before and after each of his 47 apostolic journeys, and even recently after his hospital stays in February and March. 04/25/25 https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/the-funeral-celebration-of-pope-francis-on-saturday.html
As a priest, and then cardinal, Jorge Mario Bergoglio would always call into Santa Maria Maggiore (Saint Mary Major), one of the four papal basilicas in Rome, during his regular visits to the Italian capital.
The fourth-century basilica with its distinctive bell tower is perched on one of Rome’s seven ancient hills in Esquilino, … in March 2013, on the morning after he became Pope Francis, a name chosen in honour of Francis of Assisi, the Italian saint who renounced a life of luxury to help the poor, he snuck out of the Vatican to go to pray at Santa Maria Maggiore. … Francis told Martínez-Brocal that the basilica had endeared him because of his “great devotion” to Mary, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/25/santa-maria-maggiore-why-pope-francis-buried
Shortly after he was named pontiff, on that same day in 2013, Pope Francis went and knelt down before the image claimed to be of Jesus’ mother Mary in the church known as the Basilica of Mary Major (officially called Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore). Francis bowed down and prayed to an image in that Basilica, known as the Salus Populi Romani, before and after his foreign trips.
My wife Joyce and I visited that Basilica in June of 2013 and asked a nun there where it was that Pope Francis would kneel and pray there. She pointed to the location shown in the photo at the beginning of this post.
Here is some of what Wikipedia reports about that picture:
Salus Populi Romani (English: Salvific Health of the Roman People) is a Roman Catholic title associated with the venerated image of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rome. This Byzantine icon of the Madonna and Child Jesus holding a Gospel book on a gold ground, now heavily overpainted, is kept in the Borghese (Pauline) Chapel of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
The image arrived in Rome in 590 A.D. during the reign of Pope St. Gregory I. Pope Gregory XVI granted the image a canonical coronation on 15 August 1838 through the papal bull Cælestis Regina Maxima. …
For centuries, the image was placed above the door to the baptistery chapel of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (considered the third of the Roman patriarchal basilicas) where in the year 1240 it began to be called Regina Caeli (English: “Queen of Heaven”) in an official document. Later it was moved to the nave, and from the 13th century it was preserved in a marble church tabernacle. …
From at least the 15th century, it was honored as a miraculous image, …
Pope Francis restored the image and gave a pontifical Mass on 28 January 2018 on the anniversary of the icon’s translation at the current shrine. … Francis constructed a burial vault near the icon, intended to be his final resting place. (Salus Populi Romani. Wikipedia, accessed 04/25/25)
So, this icon was named the ‘Queen of Heaven.’
The Bible warns against burning incense to the Queen of Heaven (Jeremiah 44), but many Roman Catholics do that with scented candles in various of their churches.
Francis was focused on his version of Mary throughout his pontificate.
In his newsletter of August 1, 2020, Mike Gendron had the following:
Pope Francis has approved the inclusion of three additional invocations in the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also called the Litany of Loreto. Her new titles include: “Mother of Mercy”, “Mother of Hope”, and “Comfort of Migrants.” Read more.
We have to wonder why Mary needs more titles. She already has so many. Here are just a few of the others the Catholic Church has given to her: Advocate, Ark of the Covenant, Comfort of the Afflicted, Gate of the Dawn, Holy Mary, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Immaculate Virgin, Mediatrix of all Grace, Mother of Sorrows, Mother for the Journey, Mother of the Church, Mother of God, Mystical Rose, Our Lady of the Annunciation, Our Lady of Charity, Our Lady of Providence, Our Lady of Ransom, Our Lady of Solitude, Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Queen of All Saints, Queen of Angels, Queen of Apostles, Queen of Confessors, Queen of Families, Queen of Martyrs, Queen of Patriarchs, Queen of Prophets, Queen of Virgins, Queen of the World, and Refuge of Sinners.
The pope also entrusted China to Mary’s protection. He said, “We entrust the pastors and faithful of the Catholic Church in that great country to the guidance and protection of our Heavenly Mother, so that they may be strong in faith and firm in fraternal union, joyful witnesses and promoters of charity and fraternal hope, and good citizens.” Read more. …
Catholic Teaching: Mary “did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation. Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, para. 969).
Biblical Response: Catholics not only have another Jesus and another Gospel, they also have another Mary. By creating this counterfeit Mary, the Catholic Church has robbed the Lord Jesus Christ of His glory and honor. He is the only savior, the only Advocate and the only mediator between God and man (John 14:6; 1 John 2:1; 1 Tim. 2:5). “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
This repeated emphasis on ‘Mary’ exceeds that of most other pontiffs. Consider that he also added THREE additional holidays to Mary during his pontificate (Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, Feast of Our Lady of Loreto–the Black Madonna, & Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus). Plus he significantly elevated the observance of the Roman Catholic Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12) in 2020.
The Bible warns of a “virgin” that uses enchantments who is also called the Lady of Kingdoms–and those are titles that some have used related to “Mary” or Marian apparitions:
1 Come down, sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne for the daughter of the Chaldeans, for thou shalt no more be called delicate and tender 4 Our redeemer, the Lord of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel. 5 Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called the lady of kingdoms. 6 I was angry with my people, I have polluted my inheritance, and have given them into thy bend: thou hast shown no mercy to them: upon the ancient thou hast laid thy yoke exceeding heavy.
7 And thou hast said: I shall be a lady forever: thou hast not laid these things to thy heart, neither hast thou remembered thy latter end.
8 And now hear these things, thou that art delicate, and dwellest confidently, that sayest in thy heart: I am, and there is none else besides me: I shall not sit as a widow, and I shall not know barrenness.
9 These two things shall come upon thee suddenly in one day, barrenness and widowhood. All things are come upon thee, because of the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great hardness of thy enchanters. 10 And thou best trusted in thy wickedness, and hast said: There is none that seeth me. Thy wisdom, and thy knowledge, this hath deceived thee. And thou best said in thy heart: I am, and besides me there is no other. 11 Evil shall come upon thee, and then shalt not know the rising thereof: and calamity shall fall violently upon thee, which thou canst not keep off: misery shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know. 12 Stand now with thy enchanters, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, in which thou hast laboured from thy youth, if so be it may profit thee any thing, or if thou mayst become stronger. 13 Thou hast failed in the multitude or thy counsels: let now the astrologers stand and save thee, they that gazed at the stars, and counted the months, that from them they might tell the things that shall come to thee. (Isaiah 47:1, 4-13, DRB)
Interestingly, the second of the seven wonders of the ancient world has been called, “Babylon the Great, the Lady of the Kingdoms, the glory of the whole earth“ (and the fourth wonder was called the temple of Diana of the Ephesians). The Bible also seems to connect the Lady’s haughty comments in verses 7 & 8 with those of the harlot of Revelation 17:1, 18; 18:7-8, 11 and the city in Zephaniah 2:15.
Some may be surprised to see this, but this immoral “Lady” also seems to have the title of “queen” and “harlot”:
7 You thought, ‘I shall be a queen forever.’ 8…’I am the only one who matters. I shall never be widowed, never know bereavement.’ 9 Yet both these things will befall you, suddenly, in one day. Bereavement and widowhood will suddenly befall you… (Isaiah 47:7, 8b, 9 NJB)
4 Because of the multitude of harlotries of the seductive harlot, The mistress of sorceries, Who sells nations through her harlotries, And families through her sorceries. (Nahum 3:4, NKJV)
5 Look, I am against you!- declares Yahweh Sabaoth- I shall lift your skirts as high as your face and show your nakedness to the nations, your shame to the kingdoms. (Nahum 3:5, NJB)
3 All the nations have drunk deep of the wine of her prostitution; every king on the earth has prostituted himself with her, and every merchant grown rich through her debauchery. (Revelation 18:3, NJB)
17:1…Come, I will shew thee the condemnation of the great harlot, who sitteth upon many waters…18:7 As much as she hath glorified herself, and lived in delicacies, so much torment and sorrow give ye to her; because she saith in her heart: I sit a queen, and am no widow; and sorrow I shall not see. 8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine, and she shall be burnt with the fire; because God is strong, who shall judge her. (Revelation 17:1b, 18:7-8, DRB)
So, what will happen to the queen/Lady of the Kingdoms, as well as to Babylon, is warned against in Revelation.
Pope Francis should not have emphasized his version of Mary during his pontificate and death. But, sadly, he chose to do so.
Related to one of the Marian holidays he declared, we put out the following video:
An Amazonian synod was held in the Vatican in October 2019 that featured naked female statues called Pachamama. On October 31, 2019, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis declared a new ‘holiday’ for the Black Madonna known as the Lady of Loreto. This is to observed by those who follow that on December 10th each year. What are “Black Madonnas” vs. “black Madonnas”? Are there ties between Black Madonnas and black female “Mother Earth” goddesses? Could the promotion of Black Madonnas and Pachamamas be related to steps towards a one world religion? Did a Catholic archbishop state that Pope Francis is moving “towards an Indistinct Universal religion” and a “worldwide and stateless Pantheon? Should real Christians be part of this? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.
Here is a link to our video: Pachamama: Pope Francis declares Black Madonna holiday.
Related to him and a possible successor, last month we put out the following video:
Malachy Prophecy, Francis, Doom in 2027?
Do you know who Malachy was? He was an Irish bishop and saint of the Roman Catholic church who put together a list about 900 years ago. This list has been a source of amazement and interest for centuries and at the same time it has also been a source of ridicule. Recently his list has been making headlines; the publication, Euronews has an article citing “Malachy’s List” and doom in 2027. The reason Malachy’s List is once again front-page news is because of what the list contains, as well as because of health concerns related to Pope Francis. It contains a prophecy of the number of popes until Jesus returns as well as a description of the characteristics of each pope. So, why does this matter? How many popes are on the list? What about the reign of the last pope? Are there any similarities between Malachy’s description of the last pope on his list and the prophecies in the Bible? Does the Antichrist fit in to Malachy’s list? Is it possible that Malachy’s list actually predicts the final judgment and the return of Christ in 2027? These questions are fascinating and provocative. Let Dr. Thiel shine the light of Bible prophecy on the answers to these questions. Answers from the verses of the Bible that bring prophecy to life.
Here is a link to our video: Malachy Prophecy, Francis, Doom in 2027?
Some items of related interest may include:
Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What happened at Fatima? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Eastern/Greek Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers? Here is a link to a related sermon video: Truth About Mary, Mother of Jesus. Here is a link to a YouTube video Marian Apparitions May Fulfill Prophecy. Here is a link to a sermon video: Why Learn About Fatima?
The ‘Lady’ of Guadalupe: Any Future Ramifications? It is claimed that a female apparition appeared near Mexico City on December 12, 1531. How has it affected the world? What might it suggest about the future? A video of related interest is titled: The ‘Lady of Guadalupe’ and Prophecy.
Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? Pope Francis has taken many steps to turn people more towards his version of ‘Mary.’ Could this be consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies? This article documents what has been happening. There is also a video version titled Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?
Feast of the Immaculate Conception? Did early Christians teach Mary had an immaculate conception and led a sinless life?
Origin of the Marian Dogmas: Where Do Catholic Scholars Say The Four Dogmas of Mary Came From?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L Histoire Continue de l Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church?
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.
 |
Tweet |
|