Thousands of mourners flocked to the Basilica of St Mary Major on Sunday to pay their respects at the tomb of Pope Francis, as Catholic cardinals shifted their focus to preparations for the conclave that will elect the next pope.
Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke and cardiac arrest, was laid to rest in a private ceremony on Saturday after a funeral that drew an estimated 250,000 attendees, including world leaders such as President Trump, President Zelensky, and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. His final resting place, marked by a simple marble slab inscribed with “Franciscus,” reflects the humility that defined his papacy.
A steady stream of mourners, some waiting for hours, queued before dawn to visit the tomb, with Italian media estimating 60,000 visitors by Sunday afternoon. Maria Brzezinska, a pilgrim from Poland, said, “I feel like it’s exactly in the way of the Pope. He was simple, and so is his place now.”
Meanwhile, cardinals are expected to reconvene Monday morning for general congregations at the Synod Hall, where urgent Vatican business is being handled during the sede vacante — the period when the papal seat is vacant. Their focus now shifts to setting a date for the conclave, which, according to Vatican rules, must begin between 15 and 20 days after a pope’s death.
One issue likely to be discussed is whether Cardinal Angelo Becciu, stripped of his voting rights after a 2023 financial crimes conviction, will be allowed to participate.
Of the 252 living cardinals, 135 are under the age of 80 and eligible to vote. Most were appointed by Pope Francis, setting the stage for an election that could continue his legacy — or mark a new direction for the Church.
Opinions differ on how quickly a successor will be chosen. Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich predicted a swift conclave lasting “just a few days,” while Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne warned of a “longer, more complex” process due to the diverse views among electors.
Francis himself was elected swiftly in 2013, but history shows papal elections can stretch on for months or even years — such as the nearly three-year conclave that elected Pope Gregory X in the 13th century.
On Sunday afternoon, more than 110 cardinals gathered at Saint Mary Major to pray at Francis’s tomb and venerate the Salus Populi Romani, the revered Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary that Pope Francis often visited throughout his pontificate.
