Roman Catholic Faithful Visit Pope Francis’ Tomb in Rome as Mourning Continues
- Victor Nwoko
- Apr 27
- 3 min read
Roman Catholic faithful began visiting the tomb of Pope Francis on Sunday, filing past the simple white tomb in St. Mary Major Basilica a day after his farewell attended by global dignitaries and hundreds of thousands of mourners. A single white rose adorned the tomb, inscribed with "Franciscus," the pope’s name in Latin. A soft light illuminated the tomb and a reproduction of the late pontiff’s pectoral cross hung on the wall above.
Visitors streamed through the basilica, many crossing themselves or taking photographs, while ushers kept the line moving to accommodate the thousands gathered to pay their respects. Long lines stretched outside the basilica as people waited their turn.
"Pope Francis for me was an inspiration, a guide," said Elias Caravalhal, a resident of Rome who had been unable to visit while Francis' body lay in state at St. Peter’s Basilica after his death on Easter Monday at the age of 88. "I visited the tomb to thank him for what he has done."
The tomb was opened for public viewing on the second of nine days of official mourning for Pope Francis, after which the College of Cardinals will hold a conclave to elect the next pope.
A special Mass was celebrated in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State and a potential candidate to succeed Francis. Addressing the faithful, Parolin said, "The shepherd whom the Lord gave to his people, Pope Francis, has ended his earthly life and has left us. The grief at his departure, the sense of sadness that assails us, the turmoil we feel in our hearts, the sense of bewilderment: We are experiencing all of this, like the apostles grieving over the death of Jesus."
Approximately 200,000 people attended the Mass, including many young pilgrims who were originally in Rome for the anticipated canonization of Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, during holy days dedicated to teenagers. Many groups of youths, including those in scouting uniforms, had also participated in Francis’ funeral and returned for Sunday’s Mass.
The date for the conclave has not yet been set but is expected to fall between May 5 and May 10. Cardinals gathered in Rome for the funeral will meet throughout the week to deliberate on the Church’s future direction, guiding the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Pope Francis had chosen his burial site at St. Mary Major Basilica, close to an icon of the Madonna he deeply revered. The choice reflects the "humble, simple and essential" life he sought to live, according to the archbishop overseeing the basilica.
"It’s unbelievable that he’s no more with us," said Susmidah Murphy, a tourist from Kerala, India. "It’s sad that we don’t get popes like this very often."
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