18. Good Night on the Nightjet

The important news first: I reached the Nightjet and have already placed my breakfast order.

It was the right decision to leave early today, just before 6:00 AM. This way, I had time for breakfast in a lovely Patisserie and I was among the first visitors at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore by 8:00 AM.

A beautiful church that doesn't receive the recognition it deserves under the overwhelming cultural wealth of Rome. Until Pope Francis was buried here. Now you just have to type 'Basilica' on Wikipedia and it shows up.

Maria Maggiore is an early Christian basilica, built in the 5th century AD. With its length of 79 meters and width of 35 meters, it surpassed other church buildings of its time. The mosaics inside the church are not only extensive, but they are also remarkably well preserved.

The atmosphere in the church was very solemn. One experienced up close the homage that was paid to the Pope. Unlike other churches in the city that I briefly visited today, where there was a constant flow of tourists coming and going.

Francis is the 8th Pope to be buried in the basilica. His tomb in a niche consists of a stone, a small cross, and the inscription FRANCISCVS. Very impressive in its simplicity.

Thus, this visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the viewing of Pope Francis's grave will provide a fitting conclusion to a pilgrimage journey that I had envisioned somewhat differently in the last stages. Nevertheless, it's wonderful that I could do this.