On Sunday, the Vatican released images showing the tomb of Pope Francis at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, also known as Santa Maria Maggiore, in Rome. After the cardinals paid their respects, the basilica was opened to the public, where thousands lined up to view the resting place of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday.

Argentina-born Francis prayed in the basilica early on March 14, 2013, the day after he became the first Latin American pope. The church's gold-leaf ceiling is said to have been made from a batch of the precious metal brought back from the New World by explorer Christopher Columbus.