Faithful Flock to Rome: Thousands Mourn at Pope Francis' Final Resting Place

Thousands of faithful have gathered since the early hours of Sunday at Rome's Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major to pray and pay their respects to Pope Francis who died last Easter Monday.

The flow of faithful has continued uninterrupted since 7 am when the basilica opened its doors, but many had been queuing outside the church gates since the crack of dawn.

According to sources at the Questura in Rome, some 20,000 people had reached the basilica by midday, 13,000 of whom had already entered.

Several Eucharistic celebrations have been held in the side chapels of the basilica since opening time with a main mass at 10 am at the central altar.

Because of the lengthy line, the devoted are encouraged to offer a brief prayer lasting just a few seconds as they pass by Pope’s tomb close to the image of Salus Populi Romani.

What does Pope Francis' burial site look like?

The tomb is modest, illuminated by a gentle glow, decorated solely with a replica of the former pope's pectoral cross. Engraved on the light-colored marble is just his Latin name, "Franciscus," along with a solitary white rose placed upon it.

The visits will be permitted up till approximately 7 PM on Sunday, and then they will restart during the subsequent days designated for official mourning. Following this period, the Conclave aimed at selecting the new leader of the Catholic Church will take place.

A specific date hasn’t been announced yet, but the College of Cardinals needs to start by May 10th at the latest, as dictated by canon law.

Large throngs flock to the Vatican.

Devotees kept coming to St Peter's Square at the Vatican on Sunday as well. The Vatican press office reported approximately 200,000 individuals gathered, stretching from St Peter's Square all the way to Via della Conciliazione, including areas such as Piazza Pia up to Piazza Risorgimento.

The somber Mass was led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who previously served as the Secretary of State and is considered one of the leading contenders for the upcoming papal conclave.

The entrance to the square was closed off at approximately 10:30 am because it had hit full capacity. Those devotees who couldn’t get into the parvis stayed put in Piazza Risorgimento and Piazza Pia to watch the Mass via large video screens instead.

Many young travelers gathered at St. Peter's Square for the Teenage Jubilee celebration.

Along with those who arrived in Rome to seek blessings for Pope Francis, numerous youthful pilgrims from across the globe gathered at the Vatican for the Youth Jubilee event.

The three-day event focused on young people went through several modifications, and the canonization of Carlo Acutis, regarded as the first "Millennial Saint," was delayed.

At the heartfelt gathering for voter registration led by Pope Francis, Cardinal Parolin conveyed to the youth that the Pope wished he could have met with them.

''Easter joy, which sustains us in the hour of trial and sadness, is something that can almost be touched in this square today,'' he said during his homily.

"You can see it etched above all in your faces, dear children and adolescents who have come from all over the world to celebrate the Jubilee. You come from so many places: from all the dioceses of Italy, from Europe, from the United States to Latin America, from Africa to Asia, from the Arab Emirates. With you the whole world is truly present."

"To you, I extend a particular salutation, and to the bishops and priests who have joined you, with the wish to convey the church’s embrace and Pope Francis’ warmth, even though he regretfully couldn’t be here to meet you, look into your eyes, move through your midst to greet each one of you," Parolin said as the crowd applauded in the square.