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The tomb of Pope Francis at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome has been opened for public visitation, just one day after the solemn funeral for the beloved leader of the Catholic Church, which saw an attendance of world leaders and hundreds of thousands of mourners.
Faithful followers of the Roman Catholic Church are now paying their respects by visiting the plain white tomb. Many have been seen making the sign of the cross or capturing images with their phones, while ushers assist in managing the flow of visitors eager to catch a glimpse. This opening marks the second day of the official mourning period for Francis, leading up to a conclave that will select his successor.
A solitary white rose rests atop the tomb, inscribed with “Franciscus,” the pope’s name in Latin. A gentle light illuminates the tomb alongside a replica of the late pontiff’s pectoral cross, which is positioned on the wall above.
According to estimates from SkyTV, visitors face a wait time of approximately an hour, with some arriving as early as dawn to gain access at 7 a.m. when the tomb first became available.
In addition, around 200,000 individuals participated in a special Mass held at St. Peter’s Basilica, celebrated by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state.
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Cardinal Parolin, a key confidant of Francis and a leading candidate for the papacy, delivered a heartfelt homily during the Mass. “The shepherd whom the Lord gave to his people, Pope Francis, has ended his earthly life and has left us,” he remarked. Expressing the collective grief felt, Parolin likened the current sense of loss to that experienced by the apostles at Jesus’s death, while emphasizing that moments of darkness can also foster hope through the light of resurrection.
Highlighting one of Francis’s core messages, Parolin stated, “Mercy is the very name of God, and therefore, nobody can place limitations on His merciful love. It is critical that we embrace this principle as a treasured legacy of Pope Francis, transforming our emotions into concrete actions of mercy towards one another.” He added, “Only mercy heals and creates a new world, extinguishing the flames of distrust, hatred, and violence. This is the significant lesson left to us by Pope Francis.”
Attendees included numerous young individuals who came to Rome for the intended canonization of the first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis, coinciding with special observances for teenagers.
Approximately 80,000 youth had registered for the Jubilee events, and many groups, some in scout attire, attended both the funeral and the Mass at St. Peter’s Square.
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During a mass led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin in St. Peter’s Square for the Jubilee of Teenagers, he noted, “The joy of Easter, which strengthens us during this period of trial and sorrow, is palpable in this square today; it is visible in the faces of you young people gathered from all corners of the globe.” He recognized the diverse backgrounds of the attendees, saying, “With your presence, the entire world is represented here!”
While no specific date has been finalized for the conclave expected to occur between May 5 and May 10, cardinals who attended the funeral will gather regularly throughout the week as they prepare for the future leadership of the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church.
Pope Francis personally chose his burial site within St. Mary Major Basilica, located near a revered icon of the Madonna, as it reflects the humble and essential nature of his life, according to the overseeing archbishop.
Later that day, at 4 p.m., cardinals will gather to pray at the tomb of Pope Francis.
Reports have indicated that former President Joe Biden met privately with Cardinal Parolin on Saturday, recalling their previous meeting in 2015 when Biden sought solace following the death of his son, Beau.
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