Special meaning behind Pope Francis’ simple headstone as first images of tomb are released

Photos of Pope Francis' tomb have been released following his funeral.

Pope Francis, who was pope for over a decade, died peacefully Saint Martha House, Vatican City, on Monday at the age of 88.

Confirming the news of his passing at the time, Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell said in a moving statement: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.

"His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.

"He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised.

"With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune."

Pope Francis' funeral was held in St Peter's Square (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

And now Pope Francis has been laid to rest following his funeral in Rome yesterday, where 250,000 people are said to have been in attendance.

While the service was a public event, the late 88-year-old was buried in a private ceremony in the Basilica of St Mary Major afterwards, six kilometers from St Peter's Square.

Traditionally, pope's are buried in Vatican City, beneath St Peter's Basilica, but Pope Francis explicitly requested he be buried at St Mary Major.

The late pope opted for a simple tombstone (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

Since his burial, Roman Catholic faithfuls have begun visiting his tomb, filing past the simple white tomb in St Mary Major Basilica a day after he was bade farewell by a crowd of hundreds of thousands.

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

A light cast its warm glow over it and a reproduction of the late pontiff’s pectoral cross on the wall above it.

The tomb is very simple — and for a reason. It's believed that Pope Francis wanted his tomb to represent his 'humble' life, says PBS News.

People have already rushed to visit Pope Francis' tomb (Riccardo De Luca/Anadolu via Getty Images)

As per the outlet, Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas suggested back in 2022 that the late pope have St Mary Major as his final resting place.

Discussing the matter, Makrickas recalled Pope Francis saying that he wanted his tomb to be simple because he wanted the basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary 'to venerate the Madonna, not to see the tomb of a pope'.