Worshippers pay respects to Pope Francis at his simple tomb

Roman Catholic faithful have begun visiting the tomb of Pope Francis, filing past the simple white tomb in St Mary Major Basilica a day after he was bade farewell by the powerful of the world and a crowd of hundreds of thousands.

A single white rose was placed on the tomb that said “Franciscus” – the Pope’s name in Latin.

People filed past, many crossings themselves or taking photos with their phones.

“Pope Francis for me was an inspiration, a guide,” said visitor Elias Caravalhal.

He said he visited the tomb to bid farewell to him, and “to thank him for what he has done”.

The tomb was opened on the second of nine days of official mourning for Francis, after which a conclave will be held to elect the next pope.

“The shepherd whom the Lord gave to his people, Pope Francis, has ended his earthly life and has left us,” Cardinal Parolin said in his homily, delivered on the first Sunday after Easter.

“The grief at his departure, the sense of sadness that assails us, the turmoil we feel in our hearts, the sense of bewilderment. We are experiencing all of this, like the apostles grieving over the death of Jesus.”

Many groups of youths, some in scouting uniforms, attended Francis’s funeral on Saturday and again filled St Peter’s Square on Sunday.

Pope Francis chose his place of burial in St Mary Major Basilica, near an icon of the Madonna that he revered, because it reflects his “humble, simple and essential” life, the archbishop who administers the basilica said on Friday.

“It’s unbelievable that he’s no more with us,” said Susmidah Murphy, who visited the tomb during a visit to Rome from her home in India.

“It’s sad that we don’t get popes like this very often.”

Later in the day, a group of cardinals arrived in buses and entered through the church doors to pay homage to Francis at his tomb, and for an evening vespers service.