Tourists who have booked to visit Rome in the coming weeks will experience the city during a rare historical moment. Following the death of Pope Francis on 21 April, a series of religious rituals and procedures are being enacted that might impact travel plans.

Francis opted for burial in Santa Maria Maggiore, located in Rome's most multi-cultural neighbouhood. No pope has been laid to rest outside the Vatican in more than a century.

Crowds of mourners waited in line on Sunday for a chance to visit Pope Francis’ final resting place in the Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome, a day after his funeral service that was attended by world leaders and royalty.