Hundreds of people queued to visit the tomb of late Pope Francis at St. Mary Major church in Rome, marking a significant moment in Catholic Church’s history.
Hundreds of people queued to visit the tomb of the Pope Francis at the St. Mary Major church in Rome on Sunday, marking a significant moment in the Catholic Church’s history.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who is now known as Pope Francis, was born in Argentina.
He is the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas.
He was elected on March 13, 2013, succeeding 'Pope Benedict XVI'.
Known for his humility and commitment to social justice, he has emphasized the importance of caring for the poor and protecting the environment.
As a key figure in modern Catholicism, Francis has addressed issues such as climate change, immigration, and economic inequality.
The tomb of the late Pope Francis bears just a single-word inscription, ‘Franciscus,’ which is his name in Latin, as he had requested. This was in keeping with his wishes to be buried in a simple underground tomb, rather than at St. Peter’s Basilica, where many of his predecessors are laid to rest.
The church, which has been a place of reverence for the late pope, opened its doors to the faithful at 7 a.m. Vatican time (0500 GMT). The Pope Francis had often visited the basilica before and after trips abroad or hospital stays, making it a special location for him.
St. Mary Major is a pontifical basilica with a rich history dating back to the fifth century. It was here that the Pope Francis was laid to rest following a funeral Mass at St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, where numerous world leaders gathered to pay their respects.
On Monday morning, the cardinals will hold their first reunion following the pope’s death and meet every day thereafter, with the expectation of finding a date to hold a papal conclave to choose the next pope and discuss other matters. Traditionally, this secretive meeting only takes place after a nine-day period of mourning.
As the Catholic Church navigates this new chapter, the tomb of the Pope Francis serves as a poignant reminder of his legacy and the impact he had on the world.
