A humble tomb for a humble servant...

Simple resting place for Pope Francis

- MATTHEW YOUNG In The Vatican

AFTER a funeral fit for a leader who inspired millions across the world, a resting place fit for a true man of the people.

The faithful who began filing past the tomb of Pope Francis in Rome yesterday spoke with gratitude and love for the pontiff, who died on Easter Monday aged 88.

As the first Jesuit pope, Francis lived a life as simple as he could, in keeping with the holy order's philosophy.

Rather than living in the Apostolic Palace, Francis opted to remain in the Casa Santa Marta. And he wore his old orthotic shoes and used compact cars instead of the traditional papal attire and transport.

And even in death, the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics around the world has a simple white tomb in the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.

He is the first pope in more than a century to be buried away from the Vatican, in a simple, wooden coffin.