Pallbearers carry the casket down the aisle at the start of the funeral Mass for Associate Justice Antonin Scalia at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, February 20, 2016. Photo by Doug Mills/Reuters
Thousands of mourners paid their respects in Washington D.C. on Saturday to remember the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia who died last week.
The Rev. Paul Scalia, the late Justice’s son, led the mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The late Justice’s four other sons were pallbearers for the casket.
“He loved the clarity and coherence of the church’s teachings,” Rev. Scalia said. “He treasured the church’s ceremonies, especially the beauty of her ancient worship; the power of her sacraments as the means of salvation.”
Father Paul Scalia, son of Justice Antonin Scalia, center, leads the funeral Mass for Associate Justice Antonin Scalia at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception February 20, 2016 in Washington, DC. Photo by Doug Mills/Getty Images.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, left, and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas take their seats for funeral Mass for Associate Justice Antonin Scalia inside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception February 20, 2016 in Washington, DC. Photo by Doug Mills/Getty Images
The cross is lead out of the funeral Mass for Associate Justice Antonin Scalia at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception February 20, 2016 in Washington, DC. Photo by Doug Mills/Getty Images
Father Paul Scalia (top, C), son of Associate Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, leads the funeral Mass for his father. Photo by Doug Mills/Reuters
Pallbearers carry the casket of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia into his funeral mass. Photo by Mike Theiler/Reuters
U.S. Supreme Court Police pallbearers carry Associate Justice Antonin Scalia’s flag-covered casket between rows of Catholic clergy and out of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception following his funeral February 20, 2016 in Washington, DC. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Elena Kagan (L) leaves the the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception after attending fellow Associate Justice Antonin Scalia’s funeral February 20, 2016 in Washington, DC. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Scalia, appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, served on the court for roughly 30 years as a powerful representative of the nation’s conservative wing. He was the court’s longest-serving justice.
His death means the judicial branch loses its conservative majority, creating a vacancy that has sparked intense debate among presidential candidates and political officials concerned with who will replace him.
Scalia died while on a hunting trip in Texas on Feb. 13.
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