Pope Francis’ tomb opens to visitors, possible successor gives St. Peter’s homily

The tomb of Pope Francis at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome opened for visitors on Sunday, following a day of mourning and a funeral attended by world leaders and hundreds of thousands of faithful followers of the Catholic Church. The simple white tomb has become a place of pilgrimage for Roman Catholic faithful, who are queuing up to pay their respects to the late pontiff.

Visitors to the basilica are seen filing past the tomb, some offering the sign of the cross, while others capture the moment on their cell phones. Ushers are present to keep the line moving as thousands flock to see the tomb, forming a long line outside the basilica. The tomb was opened on the second day of official mourning for Pope Francis, with a conclave set to elect the next pope after the nine days of mourning.

A single white rose adorns the tomb, bearing the name “Franciscus” in Latin. A warm light illuminates the tomb and a replica of the late pope’s pectoral cross on the wall above it. According to SkyTV, visitors are waiting for about an hour to pay their respects, with some arriving before dawn to be among the first to enter at 7 a.m. when the tomb opens.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state and a close collaborator of Pope Francis, delivered a poignant homily at a special Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday. Cardinal Parolin, considered a possible contender for the papacy, emphasized the theme of mercy that was central to Pope Francis’ teachings.

The funeral and Mass were attended by an estimated 200,000 people, including many young people who had come to Rome for a special jubilee dedicated to teenagers. The atmosphere was one of grief and sadness, but also of hope and joy as the faithful gathered to honor the memory of Pope Francis.

No date has been set for the conclave to elect the next pope, but it is expected to take place between May 5 and May 10. Pope Francis chose to be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica, near an icon of the Madonna that he held dear, reflecting his humble and simple life.

As cardinals gather in Rome to prepare for the conclave, they will pray at Pope Francis’ tomb as they seek guidance in choosing the next leader of the Catholic Church. Former President Joe Biden reportedly met privately with Cardinal Parolin during this time of mourning, highlighting the significance of this moment for both political and religious leaders.

In conclusion, the legacy of Pope Francis lives on in the hearts of the faithful as they pay their respects at his tomb in St. Mary Major Basilica. The conclave to elect the next pope is a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church, as it looks to the future with hope and faith.