Crowds queue to visit simple tomb of Pope Francis
After a funeral fit for a leader who inspired millions across the world, a resting place fit for a true man of the people.
The faithful who began filing past the tomb of Pope Francis in Rome yesterday spoke with gratitude and love for the pontiff, who died on Easter Monday aged 88.
As the first Jesuit pope, Francis lived a life as simple as he could, in keeping with the holy order's philosophy.
Rather than living in the Apostolic Palace, Francis opted to remain in the Casa Santa Marta. And he wore his old orthotic shoes and used compact cars instead of the traditional papal attire and transport.
And even in death, the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics around the world has a simple white tomb in the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.
He is the first Pope in more than a century to be buried away from the Vatican, in a simple, wooden coffin.
Mourners who visited yesterday saw an artificial light, a reproduction of the late pontiff's pectoral cross, a single white rose and the word 'Franciscus' – his name in Latin.
People of all ages walked past, many crossing themselves or taking pictures with their phones.
'Pope Francis for me was an inspiration, a guide,' said Elias Caravalhal, who lives in Rome.
Susmidah Murphy, who visited the tomb during a visit to Rome from her home in India, said: 'It's unbelievable that he's no more with us.'
A nun, Sister Diana, travelled from Cali in Colombia overnight on Friday to arrive at the Vatican in time for Saturday's funeral. She said seeing the tomb was 'incredibly special'.
'He was a very special Pope,' she added. 'A real human with a heart.'
Sister Maria Paz, from the Philippines, said of the funeral: 'Yesterday was a day we will never forget.
'And today we were very happy to queue and see where he lies. We will never forget Francesco.'
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. It must start by May 10 at the latest, and May 5 at the earliest.
One of the leading contenders, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, held a mass in St Peter's Square yesterday.
Cardinals who travelled to Rome will be meeting regularly this week.
Once the conclave begins, they will not emerge from the Vatican until a new pope has been elected.
A cardinal must receive at least two-thirds of the vote to be announced as the new pope.
Pope Francis chose his place of burial in the Santa Maria Maggiore because it reflects his humble life, the archbishop who administers the basilica said on Friday.
He added: 'It's sad that we don't get popes like this very often.'
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