The beloved pontiff was buried in a private ceremony at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, about six kilometers from St. Peter’s Square. Since the burial, Roman Catholic devotees have flocked to his simple grave, marked only with ‘Franciscus’ and a single white rose. A soft glow lights the tomb, and his pectoral cross hangs gently above, reflecting his lifetime of humility.
According to PBS News, the simplicity was intentional; in 2022, Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas recalled Pope Francis’s wish that his resting place honor the Virgin Mary rather than glorify his own life. In keeping with his humble spirit, the tomb stands as a final, powerful message about devotion, simplicity, and faith.