basilica

He transformed the original designs for the basilica into a far more ambitious proposal, which was initially funded by donations from repentant worshippers.

But they returned to the huge and gorgeously embellished basilica above.

The Christian martyr, who now has the title of "blessed" before his name, was lauded in the basilica full of joyous Congolese faithful waving flags.

On Saturday, he visited a shrine outside Rome and then prayed before the tomb of his late predecessor Francis inside the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Couples snapped the last selfies outside the basilica.