Pope Francis’ tomb draws over 30,000 visitors to the Rome church

Pope Francis defied precedent by choosing to be buried in a Roman church, and tens of thousands of people flocked past his tomb on Sunday.

Francis chose to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore (Saint Mary Major), which is situated in the most cosmopolitan area of the Italian capital. This was the first time a pope had been buried outside the Vatican in almost a century.

After his burial Mass in St. Peter’s square on Saturday, his casket was transported there, with about 150,000 people lined the way through the center of the city to bid their respects.

In a side aisle of the basilica, the coffin was set within a plain marble tomb. A replica of the simple crucifix he once wore around his neck hangs above the niche, and the only inscription on top is his name in Latin, “Franciscus.”

It seems to be directly in the Pope’s path. After paying her respects, Polish pilgrim Maria Brzezinska remarked, “He was simple, and so is his place now.”

Long before the Basilica opened at 7:00 a.m. (0500 GMT), visitors started to line up, and as soon as the doors opened, the basilica quickly packed with well-wishers. As soon as people saw the tomb, authorities told them to go because thousands more were waiting to enter.

The Vatican said that 30,000 pilgrims had visited St. Mary Major six hours later.

Visitors who were departing the basilica during lunchtime reported that they had only a few minutes inside and had been waiting in line for over two hours.

Hundreds of cardinals assembled in the church for prayers in the afternoon.

Despite numerous later expansions, the church was established in 432 and is the only basilica in Rome to retain its early Christian architecture.

Because of his devotion to Mary, Mother of God, Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, was particularly connected to it. Every time he traveled abroad, he prayed there.

In the Pauline chapel close to the burial is a revered Byzantine image of Mary. Under the image, a vase of golden roses that Francis donated in 2023 is surrounded by candlesticks. On April 12, he last came to the chapel with a dozen of white roses.

On his grave lay a lone white rose.

“Very intense. In our different ways, we all revere him for what he accomplished since he was a person who was close to everyone. “Thank you,” remarked Rome resident Carmelo Lamurra.