Pope's Tomb in Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore Opened to the Public

rome, italy - The tomb of Pope Francis in Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore is now open to the public, with believers visiting for the first time. The pope opted for a modest burial, choosing the basilica over the Vatican.

Pope Francis's Tomb Opened for Public Viewing

The tomb of Pope Francis in Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore has been unveiled to the public, featuring a simple engraving of his name, 'Franciscus,' in Latin.

Modest Farewell

Choosing modesty, Pope Francis opted for burial in the basilica rather than the Vatican, attracting around 250,000 mourners to his funeral mass at St. Peter's Square.

Key Details:

• One white rose adorns the tomb, with a warm light shining upon it and a reproduction of the late pope's pectoral cross above.
• The opening coincides with the second day of the nine-day official mourning period, leading up to the papal conclave to elect the next pope.
• Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope, passed away on Easter Monday from a stroke while recovering from pneumonia.