Pope Francis’ Tomb Opens to the Public as 200,000 Gather for Farewell Mass in Rome

The tomb of Pope Francis opened to visitors at Rome's St. Mary Major Basilica on Sunday, drawing massive crowds just a day after the late pontiff’s funeral. Mourners streamed past the simple white tomb, many making the sign of the cross or quickly snapping a photo before ushers hustled them along to keep the line—stretching outside the basilica—moving.

The tomb, marked with a single white rose and the Latin name "Franciscus," was revealed as the second day of official mourning began. With thousands eager to pay respects, some determined souls arrived before sunrise to secure a spot when doors opened at 7 a.m. According to local reports, braving an hour-long wait was pretty much the norm—because who says devotion doesn’t require patience?

At the same time, St. Peter’s Square overflowed with energy as an estimated 200,000 people attended a special Mass led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state and a leading contender for the next papacy. During his homily, Parolin reflected on Francis’ legacy of mercy and humility, urging the faithful not just to mourn, but to embrace the late pope’s commitment to compassion: “Only mercy heals and creates a new world, putting out the fires of distrust, hatred and violence.”

Notably, the crowd wasn’t just seasoned regulars. The square was packed with young people—many of whom originally traveled to Rome for what was supposed to be the canonization of Carlo Acutis, the would-be first millennial saint. About 80,000 youths had registered for the Jubilee, and their presence was palpable, with groups in scouting uniforms filling the square during both the funeral and Sunday’s Mass. The international flavor was unmistakable, with attendees hailing from just about every corner of the globe.

The conclave to select the next pope is expected to begin between May 5 and May 10, although an official date hasn’t been set. In the meantime, cardinals have started gathering in Rome for discussions that will help shape the future of the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church. On Sunday afternoon, cardinals were scheduled to pray at Francis’ tomb—a poignant moment for the Church’s leadership.

Pope Francis chose his burial site at St. Mary Major Basilica, near a revered icon of the Madonna, as a reflection of his commitment to a "humble, simple and essential" life, according to the basilica’s archbishop. The atmosphere in Rome remains charged with both grief and hope, as the world’s Catholics wait to see what comes next.

In a side note of transatlantic diplomacy: Italian media reported that former President Joe Biden met privately with Cardinal Parolin on Saturday, recalling their previous meeting in 2015 after the loss of Biden’s son, Beau.