All eyes are currently on Rome and the Vatican following Pope Francis’s death on April 21 and on who will become the 267th pontiff. Pope Francis, who died at 88, made the unusual request to be buried outside the Vatican - the first in over a century. Instead, he was buried inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

It followed a public funeral at St Peter’s Square attended by world leaders and tens of thousands of mourners. Pictures of the late pontiff’s tomb have since been released, showing a white rose lying on the simple stone tomb, which bears his name under a lit crucifix. Kathy McCabe, host of the PBS travel series Dream of Italy and founder of the award-winning magazine Dream of Italy, thought she would be one of the thousands queuing to catch a glimpse of the tomb, but was left completely surprised by what she saw.

20,000 people queued over eight hours to visit Pope Francis’s tomb the day after the funeral. When Ms McCabe visited on Wednesday (April 30), she was prepared to join a similar queue that would last for many hours in the scorching sunshine.

"I arrived in Rome a few days ago, just after the Pope's funeral and I knew the first thing I wanted to do was to pay my respects at the Pope's tomb at Santa Maria Maggiore," she told the Express. "This papal basilica is one of my favourite churches in the world and I too have a strong connection to the Virgin Mary so I understand well why Pope Francis chose to go against tradition and be buried there versus within Vatican City.

"My friends and I arrived and were surprised to find that the line was not very long and it took only about 20 minutes to be in front of the tomb. We actually got in the line for the Holy Doors and even though it noted 'with reservations', no one was checking. We went through metal detectors first."

Upon entering the Holy Door at Santa Maria Maggiore - one of five Holy Doors opened, also at St. Peter, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls and, in a historic first, Rebibbia Prison - visitors find themselves on the side of the Basilica where Pope Francis is buried and directly in line to walk past his tomb.

"It was striking how very simple it is and that you might almost walk by it if there wasn't a line and you didn't know he was there. There is a single white rose on the tomb which has a marker that says only 'Franciscus'.

“I was able to spend just a few seconds in front of the tomb [as officials keep the line moving], but I felt a huge amount of peace while saying a quick prayer. Everyone was very respectful, though many took photos and videos, as this is now a historic spot.

"Santa Maria Maggiore was already popular, but will become one of the most visited sites in Rome soon," Ms McCabe added.

"Rome is supposed to be packed because of the Jubilee but as I have walked around the Eternal City, especially the ancient sites along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, I found that they were not as crowded as I have experienced in the past.

"This is very high season already so it is surprising. I spoke to a woman who works at my hotel who says guest numbers at hotels and restaurants are down compared to this time last year.

“Romans in the tourism industry seem to blame the media who ran sensational articles about more than 30 million additional visitors expected in Rome for the Jubilee. Has everyone been scared off?

"Interest in Rome may be on the increase again with all of the coverage of the death of one Pope and the election of a new one.

"I love Rome and feel there is never a bad time to visit the Eternal City. I would encourage everyone to come. I never miss a chance to visit even in the depth of summer.

"Yes, it is hot but there is nowhere like it in the world. There will also be a new feeling to the city with a new Pope."

The Papal Conclave will begin on May 7, with 135 cardinal electors travelling from across the world to stay in the Vatican until a new pope is chosen.