Dozens of cardinals on Sunday (April 27) afternoon journeyed across Rome to visit the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where Pope Francis chose to be buried in a break from tradition.

No pope had been laid to rest outside the Vatican in more than a century, but Francis opted instead for burial in Santa Maria Maggiore (Saint Mary Major), located in the Italian capital's most multicultural neighborhood.

His coffin was taken there on Saturday (April 26) after his funeral Mass in St. Peter's square. The casket was placed in a simple marble tomb in a side aisle of the basilica. Only his name in Latin, "Franciscus," is inscribed on top, while a reproduction of the plain cross that he used to wear around his neck hangs above the niche.

Upon arriving at the basilica, the cardinals walked through the Holy Door, which was opened at the start of the year to mark the start of the Jubilee Year 2025, and took turns to pray at the pope’s tomb.

READ: What's a cardinal? The 'princes' of the Church electing a new pope

Following Francis’ funeral ceremonies, attention now switches to who might succeed him.

The secretive conclave is unlikely to begin before May 6, and might not start for several days after that, giving cardinals time to hold regular meetings beforehand to sum each other up and assess the state of the Church, beset by financial problems and ideological divisions.

(Production: Antonio Denti, Hanna Rantala)