Photo dozens of people stand in line to visit Pope Francis's grave from Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, open today to the public
The first visitors arrive at the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to visit the tomb of Pope Francis, who was buried there the day before. Credit Line: Christoph Reichwein / DPA / Profimedia
Pope Francis's tomb in Santa Maria Maggiore's basilica was opened for the public on Sunday, one day after the Vatican funerals. The believers who settled in line from the early hours of the morning to visit, according to DPA, quoted by Agerpres.
Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome, the place where Pope Francis was buried on Saturday, opened his doors on Sunday, at 07.00 (05.00 GMT).
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to pay tribute to the Sovereign Pontiff one day after the funerals in St. Peter's Square from the Vatican attended by 250,000 people and dozens of world leaders.
Pope Francis asked by will for his tomb to be in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. He is the first pope who is buried outside the Vatican, after Leon XIII, who died in 1903.
The Church of Saint Mary Maggiore was dear to Francis because of his devotion to Maria, the Mother of God. He prayed there before leaving and returning from every trip abroad.
