Tens of thousands of people streamed past the tomb of Pope
Francis on Sunday, packing the Roman basilica where he had
chosen to be buried in a break from tradition.
No pope had been laid to rest outside the Vatican in more
than a century, but Francis opted instead for burial in Santa
Maria Maggiore (Saint Mary Major), located in the Italian
capital's most multicultural neighbourhood.
His coffin was taken there on Saturday after his funeral
Mass in St. Peter's square, with around 150,000 people lining
the route through the heart of the city to say their farewells.
The casket was placed in a simple marble tomb in a side
aisle of the basilica. Only his name in Latin, "Franciscus", is
inscribed on top, while a reproduction of the plain cross that
he used to wear around his neck hangs above the niche.
"I feel like it's exactly in the way of the Pope. He was
simple, and so is his place now," said Polish pilgrim Maria
Brzezinska after paying her respects.
Visitors began queuing well before the Basilica opened at
7:00 a.m. (0500 GMT) and the church rapidly filled with
well-wishers after the doors opened. Authorities urged people to
leave as soon as they had seen the tomb, saying thousands more
were waiting to get in.
Six hours later, 30,000 people had visited St. Mary
Major, according to the Vatican.
Tourists leaving the basilica at lunch time said they
had been queuing for more than two hours and had only a few
minutes inside.
In the afternoon, hundreds of cardinals gathered in the
church for prayers.
The church was founded in 432 and is the only basilica
in Rome that preserves the early Christian structure, although
there have been many later additions.
Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88, was
especially attached to it because of his devotion to Mary,
Mother of God. He prayed there before and after every overseas
trip.
A venerated Byzantine icon of Mary is housed in the Pauline
chapel near the tomb. A vase of golden roses, donated by Francis
in 2023, sits among candlesticks under the icon. He last visited
the chapel carrying a bunch of white roses on April 12.
A single white rose was placed on his tomb.
"So much intensity. He was a person close to everyone, so we
respect him for what he did, each in our own way. Thank you,"
said Carmelo Lamurra, a Rome resident.
Tens of thousands of people streamed past the tomb of Pope
Francis on Sunday, packing the Roman basilica where he had
chosen to be buried in a break from tradition.
No pope had been laid to rest outside the Vatican in more
than a century, but Francis opted instead for burial in Santa
Maria Maggiore (Saint Mary Major), located in the Italian
capital's most multicultural neighbourhood.
His coffin was taken there on Saturday after his funeral
Mass in St. Peter's square, with around 150,000 people lining
the route through the heart of the city to say their farewells.
The casket was placed in a simple marble tomb in a side
aisle of the basilica. Only his name in Latin, "Franciscus", is
inscribed on top, while a reproduction of the plain cross that
he used to wear around his neck hangs above the niche.
"I feel like it's exactly in the way of the Pope. He was
simple, and so is his place now," said Polish pilgrim Maria
Brzezinska after paying her respects.
Visitors began queuing well before the Basilica opened at
7:00 a.m. (0500 GMT) and the church rapidly filled with
well-wishers after the doors opened. Authorities urged people to
leave as soon as they had seen the tomb, saying thousands more
were waiting to get in.
Six hours later, 30,000 people had visited St. Mary
Major, according to the Vatican.
Tourists leaving the basilica at lunch time said they
had been queuing for more than two hours and had only a few
minutes inside.
In the afternoon, hundreds of cardinals gathered in the
church for prayers.
The church was founded in 432 and is the only basilica
in Rome that preserves the early Christian structure, although
there have been many later additions.
Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88, was
especially attached to it because of his devotion to Mary,
Mother of God. He prayed there before and after every overseas
trip.
A venerated Byzantine icon of Mary is housed in the Pauline
chapel near the tomb. A vase of golden roses, donated by Francis
in 2023, sits among candlesticks under the icon. He last visited
the chapel carrying a bunch of white roses on April 12.
A single white rose was placed on his tomb.
"So much intensity. He was a person close to everyone, so we
respect him for what he did, each in our own way. Thank you,"
said Carmelo Lamurra, a Rome resident.