"The King", who won three World Cups and was widely considered the greatest footballer of all time, died at the age of 82 in São Paulo on Thursday.
Overnight, Pelé's face shone on buildings across the South American nation and landmarks were lit up in his memory. Fans took to the streets dressed in his iconic number 10 shirt.
Brazil's government has declared three days of national mourning.
The front pages in Brazil were all talking about Pelé on Friday. One read "Pelé died, if indeed Pelé can die", because for Brazilians, he is their eternal King.
The last time national mourning was declared was when Queen Elizabeth II died. Lots of parallels have been drawn between Pelé and royalty - he was the closest Brazil had.
Supporters started gathering outside São Paulo's Albert Einstein hospital the previous afternoon when they heard news of Pele's death.
Pelé had been undergoing treatment for colon cancer since 2021. Knowing his condition was worsening, Brazilians had spent weeks reflecting on his life and legacy.
Many feel relieved his suffering is over - but he is an iconic sportsman who will be dearly missed.
The hospital issued a statement confirming his death from multiple organ failure connected to his cancer.
But in a reflection of his status, the hospital added it shared the suffering felt by the family and everyone over the loss of "our beloved King of football".
One man, standing outside the Fiesp building in São Paulo as it displayed a colourful tribute, spoke of the intensity of feeling for Pelé.
"It is indescribable to say at this moment what we are going through here; the loss," Widisley Guimarães told Reuters news agency.
At São Paulo's Museum of Football, an exhibition was erected overnight to promote Brazil's beloved King, even putting on display the football shirt he wore in 1970 when he scored the first goal against Italy and Brazil ultimately won. That was his third World Cup title, cementing his status as footballing legend.
"For us, he's a national symbol who turned into an international symbol, who took our country to all corners of the world," said Romulo Rezende Dias, who had come to see the display with his wife and three children.
"Brazil may not have a monarchy, but in football we have our King."
The Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro - where Pelé scored the 1,000th goal of his career - was lit in gold in tribute
An image of Pelé was displayed on the facade of a shopping centre in São Paulo with the caption: "Thank you, King"
The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro was illuminated in the colours of the Brazilian flag