Tens of Thousands Assemble at St. Peter’s Basilica: A significant number of mourners formed a long line to pay their respects to Pope Francis, who rested in a plain wooden coffin inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Consequently, the Vatican kept its doors open throughout the night, closing only briefly for cleaning on Thursday morning.
Within the basilica, a deep silence filled the air as visitors from across the globe moved up the main aisle to honor Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88 due to a stroke.
By Thursday evening, the Vatican reported that more than 90,000 people had come to offer their final respects, just a day and a half after the viewing began. The basilica, which had a brief closure on Thursday morning, would remain open that evening as long as mourners continued to arrive.
The extensive wait along the grand Via della Conciliazione, through St. Peter’s Square, and into the basilica via the Holy Door fostered a sense of community among those gathered to celebrate the Argentine pontiff’s legacy of inclusivity and humility.
Emiliano Fernandez, a Catholic from Mexico, was in line around midnight and still had not reached the basilica after two hours of waiting. “I’m prepared to wait as long as it takes. This is a chance to express my admiration for Francisco during his lifetime,” he remarked, noting that his respect for the pope grew during Francis’ visit to Mexico in 2016.
Robert Healy, a pilgrim from Ireland, took a last-minute flight from Dublin specifically to pay his respects. “It’s important for us to be here and show our respect for the Holy Father,” he said. “We arrived last night, will only stay for a day, and then head home. It felt vital to be present.”
Among the early mourners was a group of 14-year-olds from near Milan, who had arrived for the now-canceled canonization of the first millennial saint. A woman prayed for a successful surgery, while an Italian family brought their young children to see the pope’s body. “We came because we didn’t bring them when he was alive, so we thought it was important to bring them for a final farewell,” said Rosa Scorpati, who left the basilica on Wednesday with her three children in strollers. “They behaved well, but I don’t think they fully understood, as they haven’t yet confronted the idea of death.”
Like many others, the Scorpati family from Calabria was in Rome for an Easter vacation when they learned of Francis’ death on Easter Monday.
In a demonstration of devotion to the pope and his message of inclusion, the grieving faithful participated in the procession from St. Peter’s Square through the basilica’s Holy Door, where the repentant among them received an indulgence, a form of atonement granted during the Jubilee Holy Year. The line then extended down the basilica’s central aisle to the pope’s simple wooden casket.
After three days of public viewing, a funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday in St. Peter’s Square, attended by heads of state. The pope will subsequently be interred in a niche within St. Mary Major Basilica, near his beloved Madonna icon.
Security Measures
Italian authorities have heightened security around the Vatican, utilizing drones alongside foot and mounted patrols to ensure the safety of mourners and foreign delegations expected to attend the funeral.
The Vatican confirmed the presence of 130 delegations, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs. Notable attendees include U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Lamberto Giannini, the prefect of Rome, assured during a news conference that “the security apparatus is prepared” but will remain flexible to maintain a calm atmosphere.
Tributes and Legacy
The passing of Pope Francis marked the conclusion of a 12-year pontificate characterized by his advocacy for the impoverished and his message of inclusivity, although he faced criticism from some conservatives who felt alienated by his progressive stance.
On Wednesday, a procession of priests, bishops, and cardinals accompanied the pope’s body from a private viewing in the Vatican to St. Peter’s Square, contrasting the ceremonial elements with the heartfelt interactions of ordinary mourners at the public viewing.
Francis lay in an open casket, positioned on a ramp facing the mourners, with four Swiss Guards standing watch. As the crowd approached, many captured images with their smartphones.
One nun, helping an elderly woman with a cane, left in tears, lamenting, “My pope is gone.”
While such sorrow was common, the prevailing mood was one of gratitude for a pope who inspired many to expand their perspectives.
“I am deeply devoted to the pope,” stated Ivenes Bianco, who had traveled from Brindisi, Italy, for a medical procedure. “He meant a lot to me because he united many people by promoting coexistence.” She emphasized Francis’ acceptance of the LGBTQ community and his commitment to aiding the underprivileged.
Humbeline Coroy, visiting from Perpignan, France, for the planned canonization of 15-year-old Carlo Acutis—which was postponed following the pope’s death—chose to stay and pay her respects. She valued the interactions with Japanese mourners while waiting in the sun at St. Peter’s Square. “For me, this experience embodies so much. In my profession, I work with disabled children and have traveled to Madagascar to support impoverished communities. Being here, close to the pope, allows me to integrate these experiences and make them meaningful,” she expressed.
Cardinal Gatherings
Cardinals continued to arrive in Rome in preparation for Saturday’s funeral, with their numbers reaching 113 by Thursday. They held a private morning session to discuss matters concerning the church and global issues.
On May 5, following nine days of official mourning, the cardinals under 80 years old will convene in a conclave to elect a new pope. This number is expected to be 134, as Spanish Cardinal Antonio Cañizares has indicated he will not attend due to health concerns. In contrast, Bosnian Cardinal Vinko Puljic confirmed his participation after receiving medical clearance.
“We have not yet convened the conclave, and there is a palpable sense of that,” remarked French Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco upon his arrival for the meeting. “Currently, the focus is entirely on honoring Francis.”
