Photographs of Pope Francis’s tomb at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome have been made public.
A solitary white rose rests upon the stone tomb, which bears the name by which he was known during his pontificate, positioned beneath a crucifix illuminated by a single spotlight.
The late pope was interred at the basilica—one of the four major churches in the Italian capital and a site he frequented often as both cardinal and pontiff—during a private ceremony held after his public funeral at the Vatican on Saturday.
Since the basilica reopened to the public on Sunday morning, thousands of mourners have been visiting the tomb to pay their respects to Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88.
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Among those present was Rosario Correale, an Italian mourner, who described seeing the tomb as "very emotional," remarking to the Associated Press, "He truly left a mark on us."
Polish pilgrim Maria Brzezinska also reflected on the pope’s final resting place, telling Reuters: "I feel it perfectly reflects the Pope. He was simple, and so is his resting place."
Pope Francis held a particular devotion to the Virgin Mary, and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore — the first church dedicated to her, constructed in the 4th century — held deep significance for him.
Located near the Colosseum and a short distance from Rome’s busy Termini Station, the basilica lies well beyond the confines of the Vatican, where popes are traditionally entombed. Nevertheless, the South American pontiff had long expressed a special connection to the site.
A senior priest at the basilica previously revealed to an Italian newspaper that in 2022, Pope Francis conveyed his wish to be buried there, inspired by his devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Amaya Morris, another pilgrim, shared her thoughts with the Associated Press: "I thought it was amazing that he wanted to be buried here in this basilica. Out of all the churches, he chose this one. It’s humbling to be here."
The funeral drew numerous world leaders, including heads of state, government officials, and monarchs, alongside hundreds of thousands of Catholic faithful who crowded the streets leading to the Vatican to pay their final respects.
As hymns echoed through large speakers—occasionally overshadowed by the hum of helicopters overhead—91-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered a homily highlighting Pope Francis’s enduring message: a call for humanity to "build bridges, not walls.
The funeral also served as the backdrop for a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which Zelensky later described as having the "potential to become historic."
In comments following the funeral, President Trump questioned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to bring an end to the three-year conflict in Ukraine—a war for which Pope Francis had consistently advocated peace throughout his pontificate.
After the funeral service, Pope Francis’s coffin was transported through the streets of Rome in a solemn procession.
Authorities reported that approximately 140,000 people gathered along the route, applauding and waving as the hearse—a converted white popemobile—crossed the Tiber River and passed some of Rome’s most iconic landmarks, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Altare della Patria at Piazza Venezia.
Following a period of mourning, attention will shift to the process of electing a new pope.
While an official date has yet to be confirmed, it is anticipated that the conclave could begin as early as 5 or 6 May, with 135 cardinals expected to participate, marking it as the largest papal conclave in modern history.
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