Pope Francis’s Tomb Opens to Public, Reflecting Pontiff’s Humility
ROME – just a day after his funeral in Vatican City, the tomb of Pope Francis in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore has opened to the public, drawing crowds of pilgrims eager to pay thier respects to the late pontiff.The tomb, a simple stone marked with the Latin name “Franciscus” and adorned with a silver crucifix and a single white rose, reflects the late Pope’s well-known emphasis on humility and simplicity.
The basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of rome’s moast meaningful churches, held special meaning for Pope Francis. he regularly visited the basilica both as a cardinal and as pope, and specifically requested to be buried there, according to his pastor, a request he made in 2022 citing his deep inspiration from the Virgin Mary. The Basilica, located near the Colosseum and Rome’s termini train station, stands in contrast to the Vatican, where popes are traditionally interred.
“It seemed incredible that I would like to be buried here, in this basilica,” one pilgrim, Morris, told The Associated Press. “of all the churches, he chose this. It seemed incredible. It is a true lesson of humility to be here.”
Hundreds of peopel lined up early Sunday to be among the first to visit the tomb. Rosario Correale, an Italian citizen, described the experience as “very emotional,” adding that the Pope “has left us an indelible mark.” Maria Brzezinska, a pilgrim from Poland, echoed this sentiment, observing that the tomb’s simplicity was “exactly like the Pope was.”
The funeral, held on Saturday, drew hundreds of thousands of mourners and dignitaries from around the globe. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 91, delivered a homily emphasizing Pope Francis’s frequent calls to “build bridges, not walls.” The service included hymns broadcast over loudspeakers,occasionally competing with the sound of helicopters overhead.
The funeral also served as the backdrop for a meeting between then-U.S.President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a meeting Zelenskyy described as having “potential to become historic.” Trump later questioned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to end the war in Ukraine, a conflict about which Pope Francis had regularly advocated for peace.
Following the funeral, Pope Francis’s coffin was transported through Rome in a slow procession. Authorities estimated that 140,000 people lined the streets to pay their respects as the hearse passed the Altar of the Homeland in Piazza Venezia.
With the period of mourning underway, attention is now turning to the selection of Pope Francis’s successor.While no date has been set, the conclave to elect the next pope is expected to begin in early May, potentially involving 135 cardinals, which would make it one of the largest conclaves in modern history.
however, some argue that Pope Francis’s choice of burial site, while demonstrating humility, could unintentionally diminish the historical importance of the papal tombs within the Vatican. Traditionally,popes are interred in St. Peter’s Basilica or the Vatican grottoes,locations steeped in centuries of papal history and tradition. By choosing to be buried elsewhere, some critics suggest, Pope Francis might inadvertently create a precedent that future popes could follow, potentially leading to a dispersal of papal burial sites and a weakening of the Vatican’s central role in commemorating its leaders.
FAQ
Where is Pope Francis buried? Pope Francis is buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Italy.
Why was he buried there instead of the Vatican? Pope Francis specifically requested to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore due to his deep devotion to the virgin Mary.
Is the tomb open to the public? Yes, the tomb is open to the public, and many pilgrims have already visited to pay their respects.
What is the tomb like? The tomb is simple, featuring a stone marked with his name “Franciscus” in Latin, a silver crucifix, and a single white rose.
* When will the next papal conclave take place? The date has not yet been set, but it is believed that it could begin on May 5 or 6.
