Crowds visit Pope Francis' simple tomb at Santa Maria Maggiore basilica
Crowds have begun to visit Pope Francis' tomb at the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome on April 27, a day after he was laid to rest.
The Vatican has also released images of the pope's final resting place on Sunday.
The simple tomb bears the inscription "Franciscus" with its marble sourced from Liguaria, the northwestern Italian region that was once the home of Francis' Italian ancestors.
The pectoral cross the pontiff wore during his lifetime hangs above the tombstone.
The pope's final resting place is near the altar of Saint Francis in the side nave of Santa Maria Maggiore. The basilica holds a special place in Francis' heart as he would go there before leaving for trips abroad and upon his return to Rome.
He is the first Pope to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore since Clement IX in 1669.
Inside and outside the basilica, people are lining up to pay their respects to the pope after his funeral at St. Peter's Square and burial at the Roman basilica on April 26.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni previously said that the public could visit the tomb "as early as Sunday morning."
Francis, whose real name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died on April 21 after suffering a stroke, causing a coma and "irreversible" heart failure.
In February, he was confined to the hospital for five weeks as he battled double pneumonia.
A day before his passing, he made his first prolonged public appearance since he was discharged on March 23. Francis, on his open-air popemobile, greeted cheering crowds.
After the papal funeral, the cardinal electors will decide the next pope in a conclave.