Long lines stretched around Svetog Peter and surrounding streets, before the pilgrims entered the Basilica and walked towards the central altar, where the open coffin was exposed to the St. Father’s body.
The commemoration began on Wednesday, and the Vatican originally planned to close the door at midnight. However, due to the huge loy of the believer, the approach is enabled until 5:30 in the morning and then reopened at 7 o’clock.
Thousands Wait in Line to Pay Respects to #Popefrancis As he lies in State in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican for Next 3 Days Ahead of State Funeral @Todaywithclaire @ Rteradio1 @rtenews pic.twitter.com/2svsgtte8
– John Cooke (@JohnCookeradio) April 23, 2025
“After three and a half hours waiting, the legs hurt us and we were exhausted. But we saw Franjo and that momentarily empowered us spiritually,” Richard Lamb from New Jersey, who arrived in Vatican with his wife.
Papa Franjo passed away on Monday morning in 88. Year of life, in his residence at the House of St. March in the Vatican. His 12 years of the Pontificate marked the desire for the reforms of the divided church and frequent conflicts with traditionalists who opposed his ideas.
“He was a wonderful pope. I’ll miss you terribly, as if I lost a part of myself,” said Romans Alessandra Caccamo.
Thousands of People from Around the World Have Lined Up in Vatican City to Pay Their Final Respects to Pope Francis, Who Is Lying in State at St. Peter’s Basilica Ahead of Saturday’s Funeral. CBS News’ @Norahodonnell Spoke with some of the mourners Who Waited Hours to See The … pic.twitter.com/0k3cglbrsb
– CBS News (@cbsnews) April 23, 2025
Until Thursday at 7 pm, more than 90,000 people were honored, Vatican officials reported.
In the coffin, which preserves the Swiss Guard, it should not be retained. Only priests and special guests, among them, and Footballers Roma in dark suits, bold to sit on benches along the coffin.
It’s Past Midnight in the Vatican and Tens of Thousand Are Still Lining Up For Hours to Say Goodbye To Pope Francis.
Unreal Scenes. pic.twitter.com/xzsgcnv1tk– Romy (@romytweeting) April 23, 2025
More than 130 delegations are expected on Saturday, including 50 heads and 10 ruling monarchs, including American President Donald Trump. Millions around the world will follow the television transmission of funeral.
Roman authorities strengthen security measures. As Reuters find out, snipers will be arranged on roofs, drones will monitor the airspace, and a military system for neutralization of enemy spacecraft is also prepared.
With Thousands in Line to Pay Their respects to the lati pope francis, catholics told me that them witted 4-5 hours to say their final goodbyes to the pope. pic.twitter.com/2dz4roajog
– Courtney Mares (@Catholicourtney) April 23, 2025
The conclave for the selection of the new Pope cannot begin before 6. May. Cardinals gathered in Rome are temporarily managed by the Church, and each he overtook to silence on discussions leading about future Papi.
These, however, does not prevents them from share their view of the future of the Church with journalists, which counts 1.4 billion believers.
“One chapter in the Church History was closed,” Kardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller told La Repubblica. Müller, who was at the helm of the Congregation for the Science of Faith and often diverged with Franja, is known for its tradelistist attitudes.
Last Glimps of the Pope
People Wait in a Queue Stretching Outside Vatican City to Enter St. Peter’s Basilica and Pay Their Respects to the Late Pope Francis, Whose Body Lies in State for Three Days Ahead of His Funeral on Saturday, April 26.
Reuters / Mohammed Salem / Carlos … pic.twitter.com/poxqk0mxt
– Interaksyon (@interaxony) April 24, 2025
He said the Montenegrin’s uniquely recognition was among the cardinals, and the poor, but also that the task of the Saint Peter is now, and not Franjo, which could mean the turn of the church.
Vatican also announced that they were poor and taken invited to meet the coffin of Pope Francis in the Roman Basilica Sv. Mary’s big, where the pope, deviating from the tradition, asked him to be buried.
Crowds Gather for Final Glimpse of Pope Francis
People Queue to Pay their respects to the lati pope francis as his body lies in State Outside St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on April 23, 2025.
Tens of Thousand of Mourners Began Saying Their Final Goodbyes to The Argentine … pic.twitter.com/tysbwlo0ri
– Philstar.com (@Philstarnews) April 24, 2025
“The poor have a special place in God’s heart,” they said from the Vatican.
On Saturday, the Rome Center will be closed for traffic to make the funeral procession uninterrupted by the Basilica Sv. Mary great, allowing the Romans to formerly forgive.
Pope Franjo will be buried in the niche in the side passage of the basilica, and the simple inscription “Franciscus” will be stood on his grave.
(Vijesti.ba / Hina)
