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by: VANESSA GERA and SILVIA STELLACCI, Associated Press

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Roman Catholic faithful began visiting the tomb of Pope Francis on Sunday, 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.

Kielce Gussie, a 28-year-old journalist from Florida with the Holy See, speaks on her historic appearance during the Requiem Mass in Vatican City.

Julianne Malveaux | The Philadelphia Tribune

His Holiness Pope Francis made his transition on the morning of after Easter Sunday, after he delivered an Easter blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, and after he toured St. Peter’s Square in his popemobile. His doctors had advised him to take two months of convalescence, but this pope, this man of the people, wanted to be with them until the very end. He was of the people, and he wanted to reach them, touch them. Now he is gone.

By Alex Mead | New York Post

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.