A single white rose was placed on the tomb that said “Franciscus” – the pope’s name in Latin. A light cast its warm glow over the tomb and a reproduction of the late pontiff’s pectoral cross on the wall above it.
ROME, ITALY, APRIL 27: Faithful queue to pay their respects at the tomb of Pope Francis in St. Mary Major’s Basilica in Rome, Italy, on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Riccardo De Luca/Anadolu via Getty Images)
People filed past, many crossing themselves or snapping photos with their phones. Ushers urged them to keep moving to accommodate the thousands who flocked to the Rome basilica to see the tomb, forming a long line outside.
ROME, ITALY – APRIL 27: Faithful stand in front of the tomb of Pope Francis on the first day of its opening to the public in Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, on April 27, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
“Pope Francis for me was an inspiration, a guide,” said Elias Caravalhal.
Caravalhal lives in Rome but was unable to pay his respects to Francis when the body was lying in state in St. Peter’s Basilica after his death on Easter Monday at the age of 88. He said he visited the tomb “to thank him for what he has done.”
ROME, ITALY – APRIL 27: Faithful queue to see the tomb of Pope Francis on the first day of its opening to the public in Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, on April 27, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
The tomb was opened on the second of nine days of official mourning for Francis, after which a conclave will be held to elect the next pope.
Meanwhile, a special Mass was held in St. Peter’s Square led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state. Parolin is considered a possible contender to be the next pope due to his prominence in the Catholic hierarchy.
ROME, ITALY, APRIL 27: Faithful pray in front of the tomb of Pope Francis in St. Mary Major’s Basilica in Rome, Italy, on April 27, 2025.(Photo by Riccardo De Luca/Anadolu via Getty Images)
No date has yet been set for the conclave, but it must start by May 10. Cardinals who traveled to Rome for Francis’ funeral will be meeting regularly this week ahead of the conclave as they start to chart a way forward for the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church.
Pope Francis chose his place of burial in St. Mary Major Basilica, near an icon of the Madonna that he revered, because it reflects his “humble, simple and essential” life, the archbishop who administers the basilica said Friday.
ROME, ITALY – APRIL 27: A nun prays in front of the tomb of Pope Francis on the first day of its opening to the public in Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, on April 27, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
“It’s unbelievable that he’s no more with us,” said Susmidah Murphy, who visited the bomb during a visit to Rome from her home in India. “It’s sad that we don’t get popes like this very often.”
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