Worshippers pay respects to Pope Francis at his simple tomb

A man takes photos of the tomb of Pope Francis in St Mary Major Basilica in Rome (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Roman Catholic faithful have begun visiting the tomb of Pope Francis, 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.

A single white rose was placed on the tomb that said “Franciscus” — the Pope’s name in Latin.