Filipino cardinals visit Pope Francis’ tomb in St. Mary Major Basilica

Rome, Italy and Vatican City – Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David joined the other Catholic cardinals already in Rome in visiting the tomb of Pope Francis in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

GMA Integrated News saw the cardinals entering the basilica at 3:40 p.m. in Rome (9:40 PM Manila time). They paid respects to the late pontiff by offering a prayer in front of his tomb and headed towards Cappella Paolina, the chapel Pope Francis frequented when he was alive.

The cardinals then gathered in front of the basilica’s High Altar for Second Vespers, or evening prayer, and were joined by pilgrims and tourists who came for the first day of public viewing of Pope Francis’s tomb.

Thousands of pilgrims also came on the first day of public viewing of Pope Francis’ tomb. Among them was GMA Integrated News anchor Vicky Morales.

Vatican News reported an estimated 20,000 people visited St. Mary Major from the early morning of Divine Mercy Sunday. Many visitors included young people who happened to be participating in the final day of the Jubilee of Teenagers, which was originally scheduled to occur alongside the supposed canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis. The canonization has since been postponed.

Pilgrims queued between one and two hours to enter the security checkpoint from the back side of St. Mary Major for a chance to see the late pontiff’s tomb for less than 30 seconds. While in line, some visitors recited the rosary and offered prayers to Pope Francis. Others marveled at the majestic golden ceiling and murals that adorned the Basilica.

Some Filipinos told GMA Integrated News that they had queued more than once within the day to pay respect for Pope Francis, or “Lolo Kiko”.

Meanwhile, Gerry Uy and his wife Olivia visited St. Mary Major earlier this week after they arrived from the US on Easter Sunday. On their second visit, during Divine Mercy Sunday, the couple felt “overwhelmed” to see the arrival of cardinals who paid homage to the late leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

“Napakasaya kasi matagal kaming naghintay sa labas, siguro mga isang oras. Natiyempuhan namin [yung mga cardinal]. Kinikilabutan kami. Blessing ‘yan. Second time na kami pumunta sa church na ito kasi sabi nila, one of the favorite churches ito ni Pope Francis, ” Uy told GMA Integrated News.

(We are happy because we waited for nearly an hour and saw the cardinals arrive. We had goosebumps. Seeing them is a blessing. It’s our second time visiting [the Basilica] because people say it is one of Pope Francis’ favorite churches.)

Businesses near St. Mary Major are now booming as pilgrims flock to buy souvenirs or grocery items. One waiter at a restaurant said they are now expecting more customers in the coming days.

Believing and acting on mercy

Earlier on Divine Mercy Sunday, Cardinal Tagle led the concelebrated Mass with several other Filipino priests at Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome.

In his homily, the Filipino prelate encouraged everyone to believe in and act on mercy, which “will not be defeated by the evil present in the world.”

“We see a lot of the negative things, but very few proclaim the little good things that are happening. Evil prevails because we spread the bad news. And very few talk about good news,” Cardinal Tagle said before referencing the story of the disciples who feared seeing Jesus after His resurrection.

“The Resurrection is the triumph of the good, and so, it is our obligation to discern the presence, the apparition of the risen Lord showing us His mercy.”

This Mass occurred at the same time during the second Novemdiali at Saint Peter’s Square for Pope Francis. It was presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s former Secretary of State.—AOL, GMA Integrated News