Catholics Honor Pope Francis as His Tomb Opens to Public

Catholic devotees started paying their respects at Pope Francis' grave on Sunday, quietly making their way past his modest white casket inside the St. Mary Major Basilica one day following an emotional send-off attended by global leaders and throngs of people.

The video at the top shows Pope Francis' casket being brought into St. Mary Major Basilica, accompanied by the Swiss Guard.

A single white rose was placed on the tomb that said “Franciscus" — the pope's name in Latin. A light cast its warm glow over the tomb and a reproduction of the late pontiff's pectoral cross on the wall above it.

Rosario Correale, hailing from Salerno, Italy, was one of the visitors paying respects at the tomb. He expressed feeling an immense sense of emotion upon seeing Pope Francis' final resting place: "I can tell everyone is genuinely touched. He has undoubtedly made a significant impact on us."

Individuals walked by, numerous ones making the sign of the cross or taking pictures with their mobile devices. The ushers prompted everyone to continue moving so as to make room for the multitude that had come from various places to visit the tomb at the Rome basilica, thereby creating a lengthy queue outdoors.

“Pope Francis for me was an inspiration, a guide,” said Elias Caravalhal.

Caravalhal lives in Rome but was unable to pay his respects to Francis when the body was lying in state in St. Peter's Basilica after his death on Easter Monday at the age of 88. He said he visited the tomb “to thank him for what he has done.”

The burial chamber was opened on the ninth day of official mourning for Francis, following which a conclave will convene to select the new pontiff.

A special Mass was held in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, conducted by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who formerly served as the Vatican's Secretary of State. Given his significant standing within the Catholic Church leadership, Parolin is seen as a potential candidate for the papacy in the future.

The shepherd whom the Lord provided for his people, Pope Francis, has concluded his time on earth and has departed from us," Parolin stated during his sermon, which was presented on the first Sunday following Easter. "We are grappling with sorrow due to his passing, feeling an overwhelming sadness, emotional upheaval within our souls, and a profound confusion; these emotions mirror what the disciples felt as they mourned the loss of Jesus.

The Mass was attended by a crowd estimated at 200,000, among them many young people who originally came to Rome for what was supposed to be the canonization of the first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis, during special holy days devoted to teenagers. Many groups of youths, some in scouting uniforms, attended Francis' funeral Saturday and again filled St. Peter's Square on Sunday.

A specific date for the conclave hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s anticipated to begin sometime between May 5 and May 10. The cardinals attending Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome will convene frequently throughout this week to prepare for the conclave as they outline a path forward for the global Catholic community, which comprises approximately 1.4 billion members.

Archbishop Vincenzo announced on Friday that Francis selected his final resting place at St. Mary Major Basilica, close to an image of the Madonna he held dear, as it embodies his "modest, unpretentious, and straightforward" existence.

Having seen the Pope and his tombstone today, I found it truly breathtaking," remarked Amaya Morris, who hails from Los Angeles, California. "It amazed me that he wished to be interred at this particular basilica out of all the options available.

READ MORE: Catholics show their respect for Pope Francis as they begin visiting his tomb which is now open to the public.

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