Multitude Gathers at Pope Francis' Tomb in Rome; Queues Form on First Day of Public Viewing Following Funeral Attendance by Tens of Thousands
Rewritten Article:
Multitudes flocked to Rome to mourn the loss of Pope Francis, a day after his funeral captivated the world and gathered political leaders alongside countless faithful. As the Vatican braced for his succesor's choice, the city swarmed with individuals eager to bid farewell.
On Sunday, lines formed at Francis' tomb, opening to the public as a part of a nine-day mourning period preceding the Pope's chosen successor's election between May 5 and May 10.
Must-Read Stories
Outside St Mary Major Basilica, attendants encouraged visitors to move along steadily, allowing others a turn to pay their respects. The late Argentinian pontiff, who breathed his last on April 21 at age 88, was interred in a humble white marble tomb next to an esteemed icon of the Madonna he held dear.
"For me, Pope Francis was a beacon, a compass," shared Rome resident Elias Caravalhal, who couldn't attend Francis' lying-in-state at St Peter's Basilica but visited the tomb to express gratitude. Polish pilgrim Maria Brzezinska marveled at the tomb's simplicity, echoing Francis' modest nature.
Diverging from a century-old tradition, Francis opted for a burial outside the Vatican, electing the vibrant heart of Rome as his final resting place.
Sunday's proceedings began with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, spearheading a unique mass at St Peter's Square. Speaking to an estimated crowd of 200,000, predominantly young pilgrims gathering for the scheduled canonization of Carlo Acutis, Parolin commemorated Francis.
"The shepherd bestowed upon his flock by the Lord has departed from our midst," Parolin said, acknowledging the collective sorrow. Among those feeling the loss was Susmidah Murphy from Kerala, India. "It's surreal that he's no longer with us," she shared. "It's heartbreaking. We don't see popes like him often."
Cardinals in Rome have convened for the week ahead to strategize the future of the 1.4-billion-strong Roman Catholic Church.
As Pope Francis' legacy unfolds, the Church grapples with ideological divisions between progressive and traditionalist factions, along with a dwindling congregation in Western countries. The upcoming conclave will signal whether the Vatican will steady its course or pursue change to maintain relevance.
Remaining shrouded in secrecy and free from front-runners, the conclave election is uncertain, yet the majority of Francis-appointed electors teeing up the voting process may shape a consequential future for the Church.
- In the midst of a nine-day mourning period, a unique offer was made at the tomb of the late Pope Francis, an Argentinian who chose to be buried in Rome to honor his humble nature.
- The breaking news of the offer comes as the general-news follows the ongoing proceedings of cardinals in Rome, strategizing the future of the Roman Catholic Church, divided by ideological differences and a dwindling congregation.
- As the public pays their respects to Pope Francis at his tomb, there's a general sense of sadness amongst pilgrims, with many expressing that they don't see popes like him often, referring to his genuine and compassionate leadership style.
