WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Shortly before his death, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy wrote a letter to Pope Benedict XVI asking for the pontiff to pray for him as he struggled with an aggressive form of brain cancer, it was revealed at his graveside service Saturday evening.



Members of the Kennedy family gather at the gravesite Saturday evening.



Kennedy, the youngest and last-surviving brother of a heralded Kennedy generation, was laid to rest on a hillside at Arlington National Cemetery alongside his slain brothers, the late President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy -- both assassinated more than four decades ago.



Cardinal Theodore McCarrick read a recent letter from Kennedy to the pope at the private burial ceremony in Arlington, Virginia.



"I am writing with deep humility to ask that you pray for me as my own health declines," McCarrick said, quoting from Kennedy's letter.



"I was diagnosed with brain cancer more than a year ago, and although I continue treatment the disease is taking its toll on me. I am 77 years old, and preparing for the next passage of life," the cardinal read. Read excerpts from Kennedy's letter to pontiff



The burial service at dusk followed a eulogy by President Barack Obama in Massachusetts, a brief prayer service outside the U.S. Capitol and a procession through the crowd-lined street of Washington's streets.



Among the congressional colleagues greeting the Kennedy family at the Capitol was 91-year-old Sen. Robert Byrd, D-West Virginia, who has been out of the spotlight lately because of deteriorating health.  Watch an overview of the day's events »



Many who had gathered at the Capitol were visibly emotional and wiping tears from their eyes. Some held framed photos of Kennedy, and many held American flags that they waved during a singing of "America the Beautiful."



The Rev. Daniel Coughlin -- chaplain of the House of Representatives -- said a prayer and addressed the family.



"Here we are to pray with you, offer sympathy and thank you," he said. "Thank you for sharing the senator."



Coughlin also noted that Kennedy's hopes were "unquenchable, full of immortality."



As Kennedy's widow, Vicki, went back into the car, she waved to the crowd and mouthed, "Thank you" as the crowd erupted into applause.



The late senator's son, U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, addressed those on the steps, saying how his father "knew that he was only great because he had great people supporting him."



"He would be very proud to see you all out here today paying a final respect and tribute to his memory," he said.



Earlier Saturday at the funeral in Boston, Massachusetts, Obama hailed Kennedy as "a champion for those who had none; the soul of the Democratic Party; and the lion of the U.S. Senate."



"He was given the gift of time that his brothers were not, and he used that gift to touch as many lives and right as many wrongs as the years would allow," the president said.



"We can still hear his voice bellowing through the Senate chamber, face reddened, fist pounding the podium, a veritable force of nature, in support of health care or workers' rights or civil rights," Obama said, calling Kennedy "the greatest legislator of our time." Watch President Obama's full eulogy »



Kennedy's son Ted Jr. delivered a tender, personal remembrance of his larger-than-life father. He said his father "never stopped trying to right wrongs."



Kennedy lived up to the ideals of three older brothers, all of whom died young -- Joseph in World War II, President John and Sen. Robert assassinated -- his son said.



"He answered Uncle Joe's call to patriotism, Uncle Jack's call to public service and Bobby's determination to seek a newer world.



"Unlike them, he lived to be a grandfather, and knowing what my cousins have been through, I feel grateful that I have had my father as long as I did," Ted Jr.
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question: What did Kennedy ask for?, answer: the pontiff to pray for him | question: Who asked the pope for prayers?, answer: Sen. Edward M. Kennedy | question: the letter said, answer: "I am writing with deep humility to ask that you pray for me as my own health declines," | question: Who did Kennedy ask for prayers?, answer: Pope Benedict | question: Where was Kennedy buried?, answer: Arlington National Cemetery | question: What did President Obama call Kennedy?, answer: "a champion for those who had none; the soul of the Democratic Party; and the lion of the U.S. Senate." | question: What is the name of the person that wrote the Pope a letter?, answer: Sen. Edward M. Kennedy | question: Who was laid to rest at Arlington National cemetery?, answer: Sen. Edward M. Kennedy | question: Who asked for Prayers?, answer: Sen. Edward M. Kennedy | question: Where was Kennedy laid to rest?, answer: Arlington National Cemetery | question: What is the name of the Pope?, answer: XVI | question: What did Obama hail?, answer: Kennedy | question: who was hailed a champion for those who had none?, answer: Sen. Edward M. Kennedy