Mourners have been allowed to file past Pope Francis’s tomb following his funeral service on Saturday.
The Pope died on Easter Sunday at the age of 88 after weeks battling pneumonia. World leaders gathered in Rome yesterday to pay tribute to the pontiff as he was laid to rest.
Following the service in St Peter’s Square, which drew crowds of around 250,000, Francis was buried during a private ceremony at Santa Maria Maggiore (St Mary Major) Basilica.
His tomb is marked simply with the word "Franciscus", his name in Latin, and footage shows a single white rose placed on the all-white stone.
Already, Catholic followers are visiting the Pope’s final resting place, with queues of people forming outside just a day after his burial.
"Pope Francis for me was an inspiration, a guide," said Elias Caravalhal, who said he was unable to attend Saturday’s funeral but wanted to visit the tomb to say farewell and "to thank him for what he has done".
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. A mass is also being held today in St Peter’s Square.
Susmidah Murphy, who travelled from India, said: "It's unbelievable that he's no more with us. It's sad that we don't get popes like this very often."
Born in Argentina, Francis joined the Jesuit novitiate in 1958 and was ordained a priest in 1969. He later made history as the first Jesuit pope, overcoming traditional suspicions about the order in Rome.
Crowds had gathered from as early as 5am for Saturday’s funeral, including nuns and pilgrims. More than 8,000 police officers, firefighters, medics and volunteers were deployed for the event.
Speaking during the 90-minute requiem mass, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 91, praised Francis for having “incessantly raised his voice” for peace and for urging people to “build bridges not walls”.
Among the world leaders in attendance were Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Royals also paid their respects, with Prince William representing the King.
