Pope Francis First Anniversary: 20 Million Visit Tomb in Rome
- On the first anniversary of Pope Francis' death, the Vatican reported that 20 million people have visited his tomb in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome...
- The commemorations began on April 21, 2026, with a rosary at 17:00 in the Pauline Chapel, followed by the unveiling of a bronze plaque in Latin honoring his...
- The tomb, located in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, has become a site of pilgrimage, with faithful leaving white roses and visiting in large numbers, as seen...
On the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ death, the Vatican reported that 20 million people have visited his tomb in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome since his passing in 2025.
The commemorations began on April 21, 2026, with a rosary at 17:00 in the Pauline Chapel, followed by the unveiling of a bronze plaque in Latin honoring his 126 visits to the Salus Populi Romani icon. A Mass was celebrated at 18:00, during which a message from Pope Leo XIV, currently on an apostolic journey in Africa, was read.
The tomb, located in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, has become a site of pilgrimage, with faithful leaving white roses and visiting in large numbers, as seen in the days following his death when tens of thousands passed through the basilica daily.
Pope Francis died at 7:35 a.m. In the Casa Santa Marta on April 21, 2025, one day after delivering the urbi et orbi blessing. His funeral was held five days later and he was buried in the basilica according to his will.
The Vatican media also released a 26-minute documentary on this anniversary, compiling archival footage and key moments from his pontificate, emphasizing his focus on the peripheries and mercy.